SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the Solicitor-General what her Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of Fair Trade goods.

Harriet Harman: I refer the hon. Member to the answer by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development. The Law Officers' Departments aim to support ethical trading wherever practicable in the conduct of its business.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Solicitor-General what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Harriet Harman: I gave no holding replies during this period.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Solicitor-General how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Harriet Harman: Five named day questions were tabled to me during this period. None received a holding reply.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the President of the Council what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods.

Robin Cook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of state for International Development, today, at column 931W.
	The Privy Council Office however does not have a refreshment facility in which it could stock fair trade goods.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the President of the Council what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Robin Cook: None.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the President of the Council how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Robin Cook: Seven named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to the Privy Council Office between 15 October and 5 November.
	No such questions received a holding answer.

PRIME MINISTER

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers;
	(2)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Tony Blair: Thirty-seven named day written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer in the specific period. Of these seven received holding replies. I provided substantive answers for five of these questions within three parliamentary days, and two within seven parliamentary days.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government representation on the board of the successor company to Railtrack.

David Jamieson: It will be for the Railway Administrator to put a proposal to the Secretary of State for a scheme to transfer the network operator out of administration. We have indicated that we will be making a proposal for a company limited by guarantee to take over Railtrack's role, but the Secretary of State will consider any proposal put to him by the administrator to transfer the railway assets out of administration as a going concern. The composition of the board of Railtrack's successor will therefore depend on the eventual scheme put to us by the administrator.

Railtrack

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 195, on documents relating to the Railway Administration Order of 7 October, if he will make a statement about the level of the proposed payments to Railtrack under the RenewCo scheme.

David Jamieson: holding answer 1 November 2001
	No structure could be found for a RenewCo vehicle that successfully met all of the conditions set out in the 2 April agreement between Government and Railtrack.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 1 November 2001, Official Report, column 781W, what advice the agencies gave officials about their requirements to give investment grade rating to the proposed successor to Railtrack.

David Jamieson: Officials have discussed the Government's proposals for a company limited by guarantee (CLG) with credit rating agencies. Proposals for a CLG will be targeting a long term credit rating of A/A2 or higher, to reflect the financing capacity requirement of the rail infrastructure business.

Railtrack

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many save as you earn schemes are held by employees of Railtrack.

David Jamieson: My Department does not hold this information. It is a matter for the company.

Railtrack

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the impact on take-up of employee share ownership schemes resulting from the devaluation of employee share schemes held by employees of Railtrack.

David Jamieson: It is for employees to consider the strength of their company when participating in employee share schemes.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place the notes of his meetings with (a) the Chairman of Railtrack on 25 July and (b) the Rail Regulator on 5 October, in the Library.

Stephen Byers: Details of internal communications are exempt from disclosure under section 2 of Part II of the code of practice on access to Government information.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place copies of his Department's correspondence with the Strategic Rail Authority regarding negotiations on the development of RenewCo and the payment of funds to Railtrack under (a) the resettlement procedure and (b) the arrangement for payment of network grant proposed by the Rail Regulator in October 2000 and agreed by Railtrack in January 2001, in the Library.

Stephen Byers: The criteria required RenewCo to be successfully established were stated in the 2 April agreement between Government and Railtrack.

Central Trains

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with Central Trains about providing an improved service between Grantham and Skegness.

David Jamieson: We are aware of the desire to improve this service. The Rail Passenger Partnership fund administered by the SRA would be a possible source of support for an increased local service. Bids can be made individually or by consortia which could include the train operator and local authority.

London Underground

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the estimate of the interest charged to support the PPP for the London Underground at 1 October; and what is the current estimate.

John Spellar: London Underground is currently negotiating the contracts to deliver this investment. To estimate at this stage of the negotiations what rate of interest the private sector infrastructure companies might be charged on the debt they raise would undermine London Underground's commercial position and jeopardise its ability to deliver best value.

London Underground

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the Health and Safety Executive to complete consideration of the safety case for the PPP for London Underground.

David Jamieson: The independent Health and Safety Executive is responsible for the timetable for consideration of London Underground's safety case. They will reach a decision after considering all the relevant issues.

London Underground

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions at what level of cost overrun under the PPP for the London Underground infracos will be able to demand additional financial support; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The modernisation contracts provide for an "extraordinary review" if costs are increased by more than £200 million despite the infrastructure company carrying out the investment in an economic and efficient way. This is aimed largely at external events, which the infrastructure companies might be unable to bear and which could arise in any long-term contractual relationship.

London Underground

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  how the budget for London Underground step-in inspection and maintenance powers will be set; who will be responsible for funding that budget; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how long infracos will be allowed to comply with a notification of the need for safety works, before London Underground can invoke its step-in works to default powers under the PPP arrangements; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the arrangements that London Underground will have available to them to inspect the tube for safety concerns under the (a) proposed works in default and (b) step in powers process under the PPP arrangements;
	(4)  how many staff will be employed in (a) the inspection team and (b) the maintenance team available to London Underground to carry out its step in powers under the PPP arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the detailed arrangements under the works in default step-in powers for (a) notifying infracos of the need to take action on safety grounds and (b) performing works not carried out by infracos under the London Underground PPP.

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how disputes between Transport for London and infracos as to the exercise of step-in powers by London Underground will be resolved; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: London Underground will have a range of methods under the contracts for checking whether the infrastructure companies are carrying out their obligations. The contracts will require the private companies to provide asset management plans and detailed information on asset condition on an open book basis. London Underground will have rights to audit or inspect work and records at short notice.
	Where London Underground finds a safety concern it will be able either to direct action from the infrastructure company or to step in itself, whether or not the infrastructure company has complied with its obligations. This step-in power allows London Underground to do the work itself or to employ an outside contractor or another infrastructure company. In either case, if the infrastructure company has breached its obligations, the work will be done at the expense of the infrastructure company that failed to meet its obligations. If action is determined by London Underground in these circumstances to be needed, it can be taken immediately with any disputes resolved later. In such cases London Underground does not need to give notice of its intended step-in.
	It is for London Underground to determine the appropriate number of staff to be employed for inspection and step-in, and to set the relevant budgets.

London Underground

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will deem approval by the HSE of the safety case for the London Underground PPP arrangements to be a guarantee that the PPP regime is safe; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: It is the responsibility of London Underground Ltd. under health and safety legislation to ensure safety on the underground network. It is the role of the Health and Safety Executive to assess and consider for acceptance London Underground's safety case, and to inspect for compliance as necessary. Acceptance of London Underground's safety case would mean that London Underground had made a satisfactory case under the Railway Safety Case Regulations 2000 to give confidence to the HSE that it has the ability, commitment, and resources to properly assess and effectively control risks to the health and safety of the public, staff and contractors.

London Underground

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has to request the National Audit Office to review, prior to the award of the contracts, the value for money of the proposed PPP for the London Underground; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the NAO to report on the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given to the Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on 12 November 2001, Official Report, column 503W.

London Underground

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions under the (a) actual and (b) proposed (i) contracts and (ii) understandings, what level of compensation will be payable to the infracos who have submitted bids for the PPP for London Underground in the event of the PPP Scheme being found not to represent value for money; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: No compensation will be payable to bidders in the event of bids for the modernisation plans for the underground being found to be not value for money.

London Underground

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what definition of a fair return on investment is being used for the private sector infracos investing in the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 186W. The rate of return will be determined by the fair and rigorous competitions that London Underground are conducting.

London Underground

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what projections he has made as to fare increases after the London Underground PPP contracts are signed; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 26 April 2001, Official Report, column 312W. Fare decisions on the London Underground are now a matter for the Mayor of London.

London Underground

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of (a) the management structures proposals for London Underground PPP from the point of view of safety and (b) the conclusions reached by Sir Desmond Fennell in his report on the King's Cross fire as to the management structure operated by London Underground.

David Jamieson: As the Duty Holder under the relevant legislation, London Underground is responsible for ensuring that safety risks are reduced to as low as reasonably practical. The independent Health and Safety Executive is responsible for safety regulation of London Underground.

London Underground

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what contingency plans he proposes to put in place in the event of insolvency by one or more of the infracos in the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Greater London Authority Act 1999 contains specific provisions to protect the public interest should an infrastructure company perform poorly and be at risk of becoming insolvent (sections 220–224).

London Underground

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will indicate (a) for each year of the first seven and a half year period and (b) for the total of the first seven and a half years of the infraco contracts for the PPP of London Underground, what proportion of investment will come from (i) the private sector and (ii) the public sector; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The plans for the modernisation of the Underground will deliver around £13 billion of investment to improve the underground's infrastructure over the next 15 years. London Underground is in the process of negotiating the contracts to deliver these plans. It is currently estimated that in the first seven and a half years some 25 per cent. of finance for these plans will be provided by the private sector, with the remainder coming from London Underground fares and Government grant.

London Underground

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with London Underground on the future membership of its board post PPP; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The board of London Regional Transport is responsible for considering and approving appointments to the board of its subsidiary, London Underground Ltd. This responsibility will remain with London Regional Transport until London Underground Ltd. transfers to Transport for London.

London Underground

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement as to the phasing of works under the London Underground PPP between different tube lines and between (a) stations, (b) track and signalling infrastructure and (c) rolling stock.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) on 18 July 2001, Official Report, column 195W. Bidders have said that in the first period of the Tube modernisation plans: over 60 miles of track will be repaired or replaced; over 500 carriages will be replaced or refurbished; over 50 stations will be modernised; new signalling will be installed on the Northern and Victoria lines, with improvements elsewhere; and CCTV will be installed to improve security in trains and stations.

London Underground

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement as to the guarantees under the London Underground PPP which will ensure (a) replacement and (b) upgrading of the tube infrastructure.

David Jamieson: The public private partnership is designed to achieve a comprehensive modernisation of the entire underground network. The infrastructure companies will be contractually required to deliver specified upgrades of each line by dates set by London Underground. In addition infrastructure companies must meet specified levels for the condition of all underground assets, comply with London Underground standards and the requirements of their safety case.

London Underground

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions the Government have had with the National Audit Office over the value for money of the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on 12 November 2001, Official Report, column 503W. My Department's officials have had numerous meetings with the National Audit Office on the value for money evaluation of the Government's plans for London Underground.

London Underground

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement as to which risks will be transferred to the private sector under the London Underground PPP, and the extent to which those risks will be transferred.

David Jamieson: In line with Treasury guidance, the Government's plans for the London Underground follow the principle that risks should be allocated to whoever is best able to manage them. The aim is not to transfer risk for its own sake, as this would lead to a decline in value for money, but rather to optimise the transfer of risk.

Transport for London

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the credit rating is of Transport for London; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Transport for London's credit rating is a matter for Transport for London.

Departmental Name Change

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total cost has been to public funds of re-branding his Department to accommodate its name change following the last general election.

Alan Whitehead: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 438W.

Westminster City Council

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what has been the cost to public funds of the Westminster Auditor's inquiry into Westminster city council's designated sales policy for the period since 30 April 1999;
	(2)  what the cost to public funds of the Westminster Auditor's inquiry into Westminster city council's designated sales policy was from 18 July 1989 to 31 October 2001.

Alan Whitehead: We are advised by the Audit Commission that the auditor's costs for the investigation, up to and including the publication of his report in 1996, was £3,017,905, which has been met by Westminster city council.
	The Commission has a responsibility to indemnify the auditor for the cost of any proceedings resulting from such investigations. Under the indemnity the Commission had met, up to 30 April 1999, costs of £2,997,000 incurred by the auditor, his solicitor and barrister, in relation to the inquiry. The total litigation costs, including those of some of the appellants whose appeals were successful in the Divisional Court, amounted to £3,705,000 in the same period.
	The auditor's costs (including those of his solicitor and barrister) incurred since 30 April 1999, indemnified by the Audit Commission, amount to £1.75 million to 31 October 2001, including the costs of the remaining successful appellant (£514,265), which were not paid over until after 30 April 1999, but exclude any costs borne by Westminster city council since 30 April 1999.

Train Toilets

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers the Rail Regulator has to oblige train operating companies to make working toilets available to passengers on trains.

David Jamieson: This is a matter for the train operating companies.

Rosyth Ferry Terminal

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date his Department first informed the European Commission of plans for the Rosyth ferry terminal; what correspondence took place between his Department and the European Commission; and if he will place copies in the Library.

David Jamieson: holding answer 12 November 2001
	The Commission has been aware of plans for the Rosyth ferry terminal for some time, and a meeting was held to discuss the state aids issues on 9 November.

Millennium Dome

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate the Government have made of the value of the Millennium Dome site.

Sally Keeble: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 21W.

Millennium Dome

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the Government will publish the requirements for potential buyers of the Millennium (a) Dome and (b) site.

Sally Keeble: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 26 October 2001, Official Report, column 431W.

Millennium Dome

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what date the Government expect to have sold the Millennium Dome.

Sally Keeble: The aim is to secure a sale as quickly as possible, consistent with value for money, securing a worthwhile and sustainable future for the Dome and a deliverable outcome.

Millennium Dome

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what plans the Government have to allow residential building on the Millennium Dome site;
	(2)  what plans the Government have to dismantle the Millennium Dome.

Sally Keeble: None.

Millennium Dome

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the factors which will influence the costs incurred by the Millennium Dome after 31 December;
	(2)  what estimate the Government have made of the costs that will be incurred by the Millennium Dome after 31 December.

Sally Keeble: English Partnerships, as owners of the Dome, are continuously revising their estimates of costs in the light of changing circumstances, and are making every effort to keep costs down. The average monthly maintenance cost has fallen to £240,000, including security, rates and services. These costs, together with the costs of any additional works required in preparation for a future Dome use, will be kept under review, and budgets adjusted accordingly.

Millennium Dome

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to regenerate the Greenwich peninsula; and what role it expects the Millennium Dome to play in this regeneration.

Sally Keeble: The regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula is a key element in developing this part of east London, and driving the transformation of the Thames Gateway.
	The development of the 300 acre peninsula site is creating a template for future mixed use development and is bringing unprecedented regeneration benefits to a part of London which was inactive for many years. In doing so, English Partnerships, the Government's regeneration agency, has transformed one of the largest tracts of derelict land in Europe. The development area, which also contains the new North Greenwich Interchange, includes the United Kingdom's first Millennium Village; Britain's first low energy Sainsbury's food store; Britain's largest B&Q store; Europe's first round multiplex cinema; a fully integrated school and health centre and a 162-bed hotel. In addition there are 50 acre of parks, open spaces and new river walks and cycle path, together with a new river pier and a new yacht club.
	Like many others, including the London borough of Greenwich, the Government are committed to the Dome staying in Greenwich. It is an important landmark on the London skyline which has hastened the regeneration of Greenwich peninsula and more widely and has added to the quality and variety of world-famous structures that were already so prominent in the area. Delivering a successful future for the Dome will build on this, ensuring continued recognition world-wide and enabling the regeneration momentum that has been established to continue.

Runway Capacity

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he will take to make runway capacity available for increased regional air (a) services and (b) routes.

David Jamieson: The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) is considering runway capacity issues. The forthcoming consultation documents on air services in the south-east of England and regional air services will present a range of runway capacity options.
	Airport slots are allocated in accordance with EC Regulation 95/93. Ministers are currently considering policy options for the protection of slots at London airports for regional access.

Regional Air Travel

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what change there has been in the amount of regional air travel in the last six weeks.

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the market for regional air services after the events of 11 September.

David Jamieson: Over the last six weeks air services across the UK have been in a state of flux. Routes have been cancelled, put on hold, reduced in terms of frequency, moved between airports and put back on by another airline.
	BAA reported that at their airports their worst affected routes were the North Atlantic down 25.9 per cent. in September (38 per cent. in the period after the 11 September). However growth has continued in Scotland, figures for October show Edinburgh up 13 per cent. and Glasgow up 7 per cent., Stansted has also recorded growth of 5 per cent. These increases are largely the result of the continued development of low cost airlines.
	The Government are working hard to help return the aviation industry to business as usual as quickly as possible. We are carrying out a fundamental review of aviation security to ensure that air travel is as safe from terrorist attacks as we can make it while, at the same time, balancing security with our freedom to travel.

Air Passengers (Security)

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he is making of the impact of low-cost airlines on the running costs of airports; and what impact this has had on the provision of security for passengers.

David Jamieson: This is primarily a commercial decision for airlines and airports. The CAA as the economic regulator of airports can also consider complaints. Low cost airlines have no impact on the security of passengers as the security measures required by DTLR do not depend on whether an airline is low cost or high cost.

Homelessness (Greater London)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many homeless people there are in the Greater London area; and what the figure has been in each of the last three years.

Sally Keeble: Information reported to the Department by London boroughs on the number of households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, in each of the last three years, is as follows:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1998–99 26,470 
			 1999–2000 28,440 
			 2000–01 29,630 
			 2001–02(1) 7,350 
		
	
	(1) First quarter
	Source:
	DTLR P1(E) housing returns (quarterly)
	National and regional summaries of local authorities' activity, including a table presenting figures on homelessness acceptances as reported by each London borough, are provided in a quarterly Statistical Release published by the Department. Copies are available in the Library, and also via the Department's website. The latest edition, published on 12 September, presents statistics up to the end of June 2001.

Stagecoach Bus Service (Monmouth)

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if she will request (a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) the Vehicles Inspectorate to undertake an assessment of overcrowding on the Stagecoach 69 bus service between Llandogo and Monmouth carrying pupils to and from school.

Sally Keeble: As I said in my answer of 6 November 2001, Official Report, column 138W, to my hon. Friend, the primary responsibility for ensuring that a bus is not overcrowded lies with the driver. The driver or conductor should not allow more passengers than the bus is certified to carry, and may limit the number of passengers below that if the number being carried at the time is detrimental to safety.
	It is not the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive to investigate overcrowding on buses. However, the Vehicle Inspectorate would follow up specific complaints or reports of known regular incidents of overcrowding. To do so they will need detailed information of the times, date and location and if possible the vehicle registration. This information on the case referred to in this instance should be forwarded to The Senior Traffic Examiner, Dave Rhys, at the Vehicle Inspectorate, School Road, Miskin, Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan, CF72 8YR.

Port Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will give a breakdown of the spending on Port Health in each of the last three years for which centrally collected data are available.

Nick Raynsford: holding answer 15 November 2001
	English local authorities have reported the following expenditure on Port Health:
	
		Port Health net current expenditure by local authority: 1995–96 to 1997–98
		
			£000  
			 Local authority 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 
		
		
			 City of London 1,878 2,173 2,191 
			 Birmingham 1 1 1 
			 Gateshead 17 10 13 
			 Leeds 3 3 3 
			 Liverpool 82 84 95 
			 Manchester 36 37 38 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 28 16 21 
			 North Tyneside 44 26 33 
			 Salford 36 37 38 
			 Sefton 47 49 55 
			 Solihull -1 0 0 
			 South Tyneside 44 26 33 
			 Trafford 9 9 9 
			 Wirral 61 64 70 
			 Bristol UA 95 84 89 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire UA — 35 34 
			 Hartlepool UA 8 0 10 
			 Kingston upon Hull 215 n/a n/a 
			 Middlesbrough UA 38 0 0 
			 North Lincolnshire UA — 35 0 
			 Poole UA 9 7 19 
			 Portsmouth UA 76 90 98 
			 Redcar and Cleveland UA — 41 41 
			 Southampton UA 340 375 258 
			 Stockton-on-Tees UA 38 41 44 
			 Allerdale 3 2 2 
			 Barrow-in-Furness 2 2 2 
			 Blyth Valley 40 40 44 
			 Boothferry 31 — — 
			 Boston 2 8 6 
			 Caradon 12 16 16 
			 Carrick 107 107 107 
			 Cleethorpes 62 — — 
			 Colchester 3 2 2 
			 Crawley 107 185 173 
			 Dover 103 64 53 
			 Easington -3 0 0 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston 9 9 9 
			 Gillingham 3 3 3 
			 Glanford 31 — — 
			 Great Grimsby 25 — — 
			 Great Yarmouth 10 11 14 
			 Halton 9 9 9 
			 Holderness 15 — — 
			 Ipswich 0 1 0 
			 Kerrier 15 15 15 
			 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 8 1 0 
			 Lancaster 21 22 24 
			 Langbaurgh-on-Tees 39 — — 
			 Lewes 63 67 66 
			 Plymouth 104 103 105 
			 Purbeck 2 2 3 
			 Rochester upon Medway 6 4 5 
			 Scarborough 3 3 3 
			 Selby 18 14 15 
			 South Kesteven 1 0 0 
			 Stroud 11 13 14 
			 Suffolk Coastal 196 130 -1 
			 Teignbridge 1 -1 1 
			 Tendring 69 42 44 
			 Vale Royal 9 9 10 
			 Wansbeck 40 40 44 
			 Warrington 9 8 8 
			 Waveney 13 13 11 
			 Weymouth and Portland 22 28 28 
			 Wyre 10 11 12 
			  
			 Total 4,335 4,226 4,040 
		
	
	Note:
	1. Authorities are listed within class as follows:
	(a) Shire counties
	(b) Unitary authorities
	(c) Shire districts
	The structure of local government has changed over the period, with the staged establishment of unitary authorities. Where these exist they took on, for their area, the function of the old shire county and district.
	Where relevant, shire districts pre-reorganisation have been placed on the same line as the post-reorganisation unitary authority.
	A dash denotes an authority did not exist during the financial year and a negative figure would represent a net income.

Airline Industry

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent representations he has received from the airline industry on levels of employment following the incidents of 11 September; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: We have received numerous representations from the airline industry and others on the effects of the events of 11 September.
	The Government recognise the importance of the aviation industry to the UK economy and is therefore paying close attention to the industry's current problems. We moved quickly to underwrite, on a temporary basis, third party war risk insurance for UK airlines and service providers to the airline industry. The initiative has subsequently been widely copied elsewhere. The European Commission has set out guidelines on emergency aid measures which were endorsed at the meeting of European Transport Ministers on 16 October. We support the Commission's stance and are actively considering whether further aid should be paid to the British airline industry in accordance with the guidelines.

Housing Capital Resources

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce the results of the consultation exercise on the needs indices to be used in the allocation of 2002–03 housing capital resources to local authorities and registered social landlords.

Sally Keeble: Decisions have now been taken about the needs indices to be used in the allocation of housing capital resources for 2002–03. I am arranging for details of the indices to be placed in the Library of the House.
	The Department issued a consultation paper in July seeking views on the development of the indices, including some specific proposals for changes to the indices for 2002–03. Some 80 responses were received. A list of the respondents is available in the Library of the House and individual responses can be viewed in the Department's Library.
	The responses reflect the difficulty of striking the right balance over the differing housing needs around the country. Responses from London argued that the revised indices would not give sufficient weight to the need to provide additional affordable housing in areas of high demand; those from northern regions raised concerns that the proposed changes do not adequately reflect the problems of area renewal and housing market failure.
	The Indices of Deprivation 2000 (ID2000) were adopted last year as the basis for the future allocation of resources to deprived areas. The consultation paper set out a proposal for moving to base the targeting of housing capital resources on the most deprived areas as identified in ID2000. We have decided to proceed with this change. ID2000 is a more up to date, broader based measure and is a clear improvement on the largely, 1991 Census-based Index of Local Conditions on which the targeting is currently based. Work is either planned or being undertaken to address the acknowledged weaknesses in the housing element of ID2000 and the absence of a crime measure.
	Most LAs are unaffected by moving to use ID2000 but a small number of authorities face sizeable shifts in index shares. We will, as indicated in the consultation paper, apply transitional arrangements to phase the impact of this change in over three years.
	We have also decided to proceed with the three other proposed changes—the introduction of a low demand indicator into the LA index; the increase in the share of the LA index accounted for by the LA stock indicator; and the revised basis for the index used to allocate Disabled Facilities Grant resources. The transitional arrangements will also apply to these changes.
	The housing capital resources for LAs for 2002–03 will be allocated through the Single Capital Pot (SCP). The performance-related component (5 per cent.) within this is much less than has applied to housing allocations in earlier years (50 per cent.). The consultation paper indicated that we did not consider it right for the better performing authorities to face the whole impact of this in one year. The consultation paper proposed that the transitional arrangements should be applied in a way which also covered the reduction in the size of the performance element. We have decided to address this in a different way by allocating a part, one third, of the formulaic housing element of the SCP on the basis of performance assessments. This has the advantage of much greater transparency and it also reflects the latest performance assessments rather than being fixed on the 2000 assessments as would have been the case under the initial proposal.

Pedestrian Protection

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate the additional average cost of providing pedestrian protection in the Honda Civic car; which car has the best pedestrian protection rating to date in the European New Car Assessment Programme; and which cars have been assessed at 65 per cent. or above in the EEVC Working Group 10 tests.

David Jamieson: The Honda Civic has the best Euro NCAP pedestrian protection result to date, with a score of 72 per cent. We estimate that the additional vehicle manufacturing cost of the Honda Civic relating to pedestrian protection to be around £6.50. We have made no specific estimate of the extra running costs linked to pedestrian protection.
	The Euro NCAP pedestrian test currently allows a mix of best and worst positions, chosen by manufacturers and Euro NCAP respectively.
	However, we believe that significant further modification would be required for the vehicle to meet the full EEVC WG10 or the later WG17 requirements, resulting in a further increase in manufacturing and running costs. In a separate series of DTLR funded research tests using the EEVC WG17 procedures and criteria, the Honda Civic was subject to 19 tests. The results are summarised below.
	
		
			WG17 requirements  
			 Test Total tests Met Not met 
		
		
			 Child head 12 2 10 
			 Upper leg 3 2 1 
			 Full leg 4 2 2 
			  
			 Total 19 6 13 
		
	
	This should not detract from the significant achievements by Honda on pedestrian protection in relation to other cars. Published results of Euro NCAP tests show that no other cars have scored 65 per cent. or above.

Roadworks (Essex)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what plans his Department has for road works on the A12 between Hatfield Peverel and Mountnessing in the next 12 months;
	(2)  what action he will take to alleviate the traffic jams on the A12 north of Boreham at Hatfield Peverel while the road works are in progress;
	(3)  when the road works on the A12 to the north of Boreham at Hatfield Peverel will be completed; and when the A12 will return to normal traffic flows;
	(4)  if he will make a statement on the traffic jams being caused by road works on the A121 north of Boreham at Hatfield Peverel; and what has been the average time it takes vehicles to travel through the road works in each week since their establishment.

David Jamieson: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Richard Thorndike to Mr. Simon Burns, dated 15 November 2001
	Tim Matthews has been asked by the Transport Minister, David Jamieson, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about planned and proposed roadworks on the A12. I am replying as Tim Matthews is currently away on business.
	I am sorry that the resurfacing of the A12 near Hatfield Peverel is causing problems for road users. We expect the work to be completed around the middle of February, although to minimise delays over Christmas, the traffic management will be suspended between noon on 19 December and noon on 7 January.
	We have not recorded details since work started of the delays for each week. Although we know there have been delays of over an hour particularly when there have been accidents. However, on average in the morning it takes about 10–15 minutes longer to travel southbound and about 5–10 minutes longer to travel north.
	We have no plans for major roadworks on the A12 between Hatfield Peverel and Mountnessing during the next 12 months. We are, however, planning to resurface part of the Brentwood Bypass next September which will involve some work at the Mountnessing Interchange. Details will be published nearer the time.
	If you would like more details, the Agency's Project Manager, James Hassall would be happy to discuss the scheme. His telephone number is 01234 796094.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued;
	(2)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Alan Whitehead: In the period 15 October to 5 November, my Department answered 261 named day parliamentary questions, of which 81 (31 per cent.) received holding answers.
	Of the 81 that received holding answers, 72 (89 per cent.) received substantive answers within three parliamentary days (of which 29 (36 per cent.) received substantive answers within one day); and 9 (11 per cent.) received substantive answers within seven parliamentary days.

Physical Agents Directive

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent meetings he has had with representatives of the (a) haulage, (b) construction and (c) engineering sectors regarding the European Commission's proposed physical agents directive; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: The Health and Safety Executive has had several meetings with industry sectors about the two physical agents directives on vibration and noise. The most recent meeting with construction sector representatives was on 14 November and with engineering sector representatives on 1 November. They will be meeting representatives of the haulage industry on 20 November.

Fair Trade Goods

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of Fair Trade goods.

Alan Whitehead: The Department's procurement policy is about the achievement of value for money. The Department does not have a specific policy requiring the purchase of fair trade goods. Purchasing Officers are expected to consider each case on its merits with particular regard to the need for any products purchased to represent value for money. However, this Department does have available in the main staff restaurant fair trade beverages and confectionery and only provides fair trade beverages for official meetings. In addition, this Department's policy is to purchase timber and timber products only from sustainable and legal sources.

Local Government Finance Settlement

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will make a statement on the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2002–03.

Nick Raynsford: Subject to the progress of parliamentary business, we expect to make an announcement to the House on Thursday 29 November.

New Track

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he intends to allow assets of the not-for-profit company known as New Track to be made available as security to bankers in order to secure funding for the company.

John Spellar: A substantial portion of the income for a company limited by guarantee would be covered by stable long-term contracts. These would form the basis for an investment grade credit rating to secure funding for the company.

TREASURY

Departmental Underspending

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister regarding underspend in the Department of Health;
	(2)  what measures he is taking to reduce underspend in the (a) Department for Education and Skills, (b) Department of Health, (c) DETR main programmes, (d) Ministry of Defence and (e) Home Office;
	(3)  if he will provide a breakdown of the main items of intended expenditure that were not spent comprising the underspend arising from the difference between the Final Department Expenditure Limit and Provisional Outturn for 2000–01 for the (a) Department for Education and Skills, (b) Department of Health, (c) DETR main programmes, (d) Ministry of Defence and (e) Home Office.

Andrew Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 13 November 2001, Official Report, columns 606–07W.

Scottish Devolution

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is regarding consultations prior to the publication of proposals involving the transfer of powers to the Scottish Executive by (a) primary legislation and (b) Order in Council.

Andrew Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 748W.

Income Tax

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will quantify in real cash terms the total change in the amount of income tax paid by higher rate taxpayers between May 1997 and the latest date for which information is available.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to "Inland Revenue Statistics", table 3.4, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The latest version of the table can be accessed on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

Income Tax

Dave Watts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an assessment of the cost of lowering the higher rate of income tax by 1 pence.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to "Inland Revenue Statistics" table 1.6, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The latest version can be accessed on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Paul Boateng: 86 of the 143 named day questions tabled to the Treasury in the period concerned were answered substantively on the nominated day.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Paul Boateng: Of the 75 named day questions to which holding answers were given in the period concerned, 53 received substantive answers within three sitting days, 12 within seven days, five within 10 days and five within 15 days.

Combined Heat and Power

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to improve fiscal incentives for the development of combined heat and power plants.

Paul Boateng: Gas or coal used by good quality combined heat and power systems is exempt from the climate change levy. Electricity produced by such systems is also exempt if it is used on the site where it is generated or if it is sold through a bilateral contract to another end user. Good quality CHP systems are also eligible for 100 per cent. enhanced capital allowances as part of the Government's climate change levy package. The Government are considering how best to encourage CHP and will be publishing proposals in the form of a CHP strategy in the coming months.

Illegal Drugs (Hull)

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to (a) increase and (b) improve illegal drugs interception by Customs and Excise at the Port of Hull; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: Greater flexibility in the deployment of officers enable Customs in Hull to respond more quickly to smuggling threats. The Customs drug dog unit in Hull has been expanded and from the new year an X-ray scanner will be based in Hull to greatly increase the number of freight examinations.

Aggregates Levy

David Heath: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the quarrying industry on the design of the proposed aggregates levy.

Paul Boateng: I and my officials have had meetings with various representative bodies for the aggregates industry, and other interested parties throughout the development of the levy.

Illegal Food Imports

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many, and what percentage of flights arriving at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick, (c) Stansted and (d) other airports in the UK were checked, in the latest year for which figures are available, for the presence of food intended for illegal importation; and of those flights checked, on how many occasions such food was found.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 15 November 2001
	The lead responsibility for controls on imported food lies with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and agencies acting on its behalf. Customs has provided support to these agencies and participated in a number of joint exercises at airports to address the risk of illegal meat imports. Application of normal Customs controls to incoming flights is based on assessment of a range of risks and no figures exist of how many flights were checked for the purpose of detecting illegal importation. Where illegal food is found during Customs examination appropriate action is taken. Seizures in the year 1 April 2000–31 March 2001 were:
	Heathrow: 217
	Gatwick: 73
	Stansted: 5
	Other airports: 94.
	This does not include seizures made in joint exercises with the lead enforcement agencies where they take the seizure action.

Advanced Corporation Tax

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost to local government pension schemes resulting from the abolition of advanced corporation tax relief on pension funds.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
	The LGA estimated that the net effect of the 1997 decision to abolish advance corporation tax relief on local authority pension funds was £130 million. The Government specifically took account of this estimate in the spending plans set by the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Radio Spectrum

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the possibility of selling or licensing the military spectrum to the private sector.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 12 November 2001
	I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Chancellor of the Exchequer commissioned earlier this year an independent review of radio spectrum management, led by Professor Martin Cave, to advise on the principles which should guide future management of the spectrum, to help derive most value from this national asset. One of the issues which the review is exploring is how best to improve the arrangements for facilitating access, for commercial uses, to any defence spectrum which would not compromise any legitimate current or future defence needs. The review is due to report to Ministers by the end of 2001.

Freedom of Information

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date his Department established a working group of officials to prepare his Department for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and on what dates this committee has met since it was set up.

David Blunkett: I have been asked to reply.
	In May this year, the Home Office established a Board level Senior Group to steer departmental progress towards implementation of the Act. The group first met on 8 May. Pending a decision on the timing of implementation, it has not met since, but is now scheduled to meet on 29 November 2001.
	The Senior Group is supported by a working-level Practitioners Group, which met on 14 May and 17 September 2001.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Direct Selling (Utilities)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to tighten the regulation of direct selling by utilities.

Brian Wilson: Direct selling is regulated under a range of consumer legislation. The Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations (The Doorstep Selling Regulations), govern doorstep sales and were strengthened in 1998. New Distance Selling Regulations, governing telephone and internet sales, came into force in October 2000. Local Trading Standards departments are responsible for the enforcement of these regulations. Breaches of the regulations that result in harm to the collective interests of consumers could also be grounds for the courts to make a Stop Now Order requiring the company concerned to cease the offending conduct. Under The Stop Now Order (E. C. Directive) Regulations, which came into force on 1 June 2001, the power to apply for such Orders is held by the Director General of Fair Trading, local authority trading standards officers, and sectoral regulators.
	In the case of gas and electricity, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) introduced a Marketing Licence Condition in 1998 that governs the sales and marketing practices of suppliers. The Licence Condition was strengthened in January 2001. Ofgem closely monitors the sales and marketing activities of suppliers, and, where necessary, it will take formal action against individual suppliers.
	In addition, I have recently written to all gas and electricity suppliers to express my concern about the distress caused by incidences of sales malpractice and demand that suppliers improve their performances. Consumers affected by sales malpractice not only form a negative view of an individual company, but also of the competitive market as a whole. It is in suppliers' own interests to maintain the highest possible sales standards, to resolve problems rapidly where they occur and to ensure that the consumer is content with the outcome.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Patricia Hewitt: 104 named day questions were tabled, 52 per cent. received a holding reply.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to her Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows.
	(a) 91 per cent.
	(b) 98 per cent.
	(c) 100 per cent.
	(d) 0 per cent.
	(e) 0 per cent.

Energy Sector

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total (a) direct and (b) indirect Government support for the energy sector, excluding oil and gas production, in each year since 1990.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 8 November 2001
	The information is set out in the table.
	
		Government financial support for the energy sector, excluding oil and gas
		
			   £ million  
			   Total support  
			 Year  Direct Indirect 
		
		
			 1990–91 283.5 127.1 
			 1991–92 571.2 809.7 
			 1992–93 814.1 892.9 
			 1993–94 595.8 963.1 
			 1994–95 372.5 988.4 
			 1995–96 236.8 793.5 
			 1996–97 197.1 112.8 
			 1997–98 215.5 126.5 
			 1998–99 317.0 127.0 
			 1999–2000 227.0 56.4 
			 2000–01 334.1 64.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures for direct support include:
	(a) direct Government funding for research and development on renewable energy through the DTI's Sustainable Energy Programme and through Research Councils via the Science Budget
	(b) support for the coal industry but excluding the impact of debt write-offs and proceeds at the privatisation of British Coal and payments made in respect of historic liabilities retained in the public sector, such as health claims
	(c) support for nuclear based on the funding to the UKAEA details of which were included in the reply to a parliamentary question from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 14 November 2001, Official Report, columns 756–57W.
	2. The figures for indirect support include:
	(a) expenditure through the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO), the Scottish Renewables Obligation and the Northern Ireland NFFO funded by the electricity consumer through the Fossil Fuel Levy in Great Britain and variant arrangements in Northern Ireland.
	(b) the premium received by Nuclear Electric plc over and above the market price for electricity in the period 1990–96 details of which were provided in the reply to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 14 November 2001, Official Report, columns 756–57W.

Postcomm

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences have been issued by Postcomm within the reserved area; and what assessment she has made of their impact on Consignia's ability to meet its universal service obligations.

Douglas Alexander: To date, following consultation, Postcomm has issued a licence to Consignia plc, a condition of which requires the provision of a universal postal service, and four other licences.
	Postcomm's primary duty is to exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to ensure the provision of a universal postal service. Subject to this duty Postcomm shall exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to further the interests of users of postal services, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between postal operators.

Consignia

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action Consignia is taking to improve recruitment and retention in areas where this is more difficult.

Douglas Alexander: As an operational matter, this is an issue for Consignia management.
	Consignia is aware that there is a particular problem around staff turnover in the first few months of employment within areas where alternative employment is readily available. In response, with the active support of the Communication Workers Union, the company is trailing a new approach that includes mentoring of new entrants and retention payments.
	I am advised that the results of these trials will be available in the new year.

Postal Services Regulatory Regimes

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received on the services condition of the European Union and UK postal services regulatory regimes.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry routinely receives formal and informal representations on different aspects of developments in the United Kingdom and European postal markets including regulatory regimes.

Fur Products

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what measures exist to ensure that consumers are not sold items made of or containing domestic (a) dog and (b) cat fur by (i) mistake and (ii) fraudulent practices;
	(2)  what measures are in place to combat potential consumer fraud with regard to the sale of fur (a) garments and (b) items;
	(3)  how many people are employed by her Department to ensure that fur products on sale in the United Kingdom are accurately described; and what is their annual budget;
	(4)  what information (a) is given and (b) has to be given by law to consumers regarding the origin by (i) species and (ii) country of (A) fur garments, (B) garments containing fur trim and (C) items made from fur in the United Kingdom;

Melanie Johnson: The Department does not enforce legislation which protects consumers from misleading statements about products. Trading standards officers who are employed directly by Local Authorities enforce the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. The Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 place the duty to investigate under the Regulations on the Director General of Fair Trading.
	It is a criminal offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 for a person in the course of a trade or business to apply, by any means, false or misleading statements to goods, including statements about their composition. Additionally, the Director General of Fair Trading can take injunctive action under the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988 (as amended) to prevent misleading advertisements. The regulations define an advertisement widely, as any form of representation which is made in connection with a trade or business in order to promote the supply or transfer of goods.
	The Trade Descriptions (Sealskin Goods) (Information) Order 1980 requires goods made wholly or partly of, or derived wholly or partly from, sealskin to be legibly and conspicuously marked with, or accompanied by, information to the effect that the goods are made of sealskin and where the seals were taken.
	The Department is not aware of any other legislation that requires fur products to be labelled with information.

Nuclear Installations (Security)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations her Department has had with independent experts in respect of the security of nuclear facilities since 11 September.

Brian Wilson: The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) within my Department is the Government's security regulator for the civil nuclear industry. OCNS has operational and regulatory autonomy in setting security standards and ensuring industry compliance. OCNS and DTI officials liaise with their counterparts in other agencies at home and abroad and with industry experts in the civil nuclear industry.

Community Post Offices

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the role of community post offices in the post office re-invention programme.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 9 November 2001
	Among the Performance and Innovation Unit report recommendations, all of which were accepted by Government, was that there should be a programme of modernisation and reinvention of the urban network. This reinvention programme will not be relevant to community post offices, defined by Post Office Ltd. as small rural offices with restricted opening hours, which fall within the rural network of offices serving settlements with less than 10,000 residents.

Postal Deliveries

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many first class letters from (a) the PO postcode area and (b) the Isle of Wight achieve delivery (i) by first post the following day and (ii) within 24 hours; and how many to London in each category achieve delivery by each of those times.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 13 November 2001
	This is an operational issue for Consignia.
	I have been advised by the company that it does not hold all this information. However, for the financial year 2000–01 the company has provided the following information:
	89 per cent. of first class letters were delivered the next day from the PO postcode area of posting.
	92 per cent. of letters from the PO postcode area reached neighbouring areas the next working day.
	86 per cent. of letters from the PO postcode area of posting reached distant areas the next working day.

Road Fund Licences (Post Office Sales)

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has made of the costs associated with allowing all post offices to sell road fund licences.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 13 November 2001
	I have been informed by Post Office Ltd. that it acts as agent for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in issuing motor vehicle licences through 4,000 post offices. In order to safeguard the interests of taxpayers, DVLA has to ensure that the relicensing service is cost effective. Under the present arrangements, increasing the number of post offices offering the facility increases the costs without increasing the total revenue collected. With the completion of the Horizon automation programme, we are considering the scope for extending the facility more widely without additional cost to DVLA.

Postmasters (Compensation)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to (a) assist and (b) compensate sub-postmasters in Northern Ireland, with special reference to owners of rural post offices, affected by the phasing out of the old system of benefit payments in favour of the automated credit transfer system.

Douglas Alexander: Benefit and pension recipients who wish to collect their benefits in cash at post offices will continue to be able to do so after the change in payment arrangements, beginning in April 2003, by means of Universal Banking Services.
	The Government remain committed to maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices and has committed £270 million of support over the next three years to start the implementation of the Performance and Innovation Unit's recommendations, all of which the Government accepted, for modernisation of the post office network.
	The PIU report recommendations include financial support for modernisation of the urban and rural networks. Post Office Limited's objective for the urban network of the future is to establish bigger, better, brighter post offices based on viable businesses that deliver adequate returns to subpostmasters. The Government are also committed to providing transitional financial assistance to the rural network and will shortly receive advice from the Postal Services Commission on the best way of channelling assistance to rural post offices.

Sub-post Offices (London)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have been (a) opened and (b) closed in each of the London borough authorities in each of the last three years; and if he will list them.

Douglas Alexander: I understand from Post Office Limited that data on the post office network are not held on a local authority basis. From the financial year 2000–01, network data have been compiled on a regional basis and in that year there were 10 net closures of post offices in the London region.

Regional Development Agencies

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Government investment there was in the north-west Regional Development Agency (a) in 1999, (b) in 2000, (c) in 2001 and (d) is projected for 2002.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 15 November 2001
	The north-west Development Agency's net budgets for these years are as follows:
	
		North-west Development Agency budgets
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 2002–03 (gross indicative)(2) 276,600 
			 2001–02 (net allocated)(3) (4)276,215 
			 2000–01 (net actual)(3) (5)206,962 
			 1999–2000 (net actual)(3) 141,337 
		
	
	(2) Only gross figures (including receipts) are available for 2002–03.
	(3) Actual net figures (excluding receipts) available for 1999–2000 and 2000–01. Latest net allocation figures (excluding receipts) available for 2001–02.
	(4) Includes additional funding for the Business Recovery Fund in response to foot and mouth disease, and the Rapid Response Fund.
	(5) Includes funding for additional activity.

Regional Development Agencies

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on levels of Government investment in all regional development agencies in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 15 November 2001
	The Regional Development Agencies' budgets are as follows:
	
		Regional development agencies' budgets
		
			£000  
			   2002–03 Gross indicative(6) 2001–02 Net allocated(7) 2000–01 Net actual(7) 
		
		
			 One North East 183,400 157,755 123,492 
			 North West DA 276,600 276,215 206,962 
			 Yorkshire Forward 221,900 218,134 172,668 
			 East Midlands DA 95,200 86,717 75,497 
			 Advantage West Midlands 185,700 159,801 135,897 
			 East of England DA 71,600 58,247 42,582 
			 South East of England DA 102,200 97,851 80,850 
			 South West of England DA 92,400 84,663 68,468 
			 London DA 298,100 277,142 270,860 
			  
			 Total 1,527,100 (8)1,416,525 1,177,276 
		
	
	(6) Only "gross" figures (including receipts) are available for 2002–03.
	(7) Actual net figures (excluding receipts) available for 2000–01. Latest net allocation figures (excluding receipts) available for 2001–02.
	(8) Includes additional funding for the Business Recovery Fund in response to foot and mouth disease, and the Rapid Response Fund.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Al-Qaeda

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has that the hijackers who crashed the commercial airliners in the United States on 11 September were trained in al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan.

Ben Bradshaw: Al-Qaeda, harboured by the Taliban regime, have for some time run training facilities in Afghanistan. Prior to the current military action against al-Qaeda targets, there were at least 12 camps across Afghanistan, of which at least four were used for training terrorists. Following military action none of these camps are operational.
	Most of the nineteen 11 September hijackers were al-Qaeda associates. A senior UBL associate has claimed to have trained some of the hijackers in Afghanistan. We know that al-Qaeda terrorists who carried out a failed attack on a US Navy destroyer in January 2000 had trained in camps in Afghanistan.

Organised Crime (Russia)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resources have been offered to the Russian Government to help it to combat organised crime in Russia.

Peter Hain: The UK is keen to assist Russian efforts to combat organised crime. We have signed two memorandums of understanding to facilitate co-operation between UK and Russian law enforcement agencies. The National Criminal Intelligence Service has provided advice and consultants to a Russian project to establish a financial intelligence unit, an essential element in tackling money laundering.
	With our international partners, we participate in Operation Millennium, an Interpol initiative sponsored by the G8 to share intelligence on Eastern European, including Russian, organised crime. We also contribute to the Joint EU/Russia Action Plan on combating Russian organised crime, focusing on judicial co-operation in criminal matters and on law enforcement co-operation.

EU (New Members)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries seeking membership of the European Union he has visited during the last 12 months.

Peter Hain: Since his appointment in June, the Secretary of State has visited Warsaw on 30 September and Ankara on 17–18 October. The Secretary of State has also met his Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian and Cypriot counterparts. I visited both Prague and Budapest in September, and have plans to visit more candidates early next year. I have also met the Foreign Ministers or chief negotiators of most of the candidate countries.

European Union Chapters

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many European Union chapters have been approved by the EU in each of the countries seeking membership; and if he will list them.

Peter Hain: Of the 31 chapters of the European Union acquis communautaire (EC legislation), Cyprus has provisionally closed 23, Hungary 22, Czech Republic 21, Slovenia 21, Slovakia 20, Estonia 19, Latvia 18, Lithuania 18, Poland 18, Malta 18, Bulgaria 12, and Romania eight. The FCO has deposited with the Commons Library a table detailing which chapters have been provisionally closed by each of the candidates.

Your Britain, Your Europe Project

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all publications issued under the Your Britain, Your Europe project; and what the (a) print run and (b) cost has been in each case.

Peter Hain: According to our latest and statistical information, the following publications bearing the Your Britain, Your Europe logo were issued during the lifetime of the Your Britain, Your Europe initiative:
	
		
			 Leaflet Cost (£) Print run 
		
		
			 Your Britain, Your Europe 3,863 7,000 
			 What has the EU ever done for us? 2,834 8,000 
			 Europe Day Programme 2,342 10,000 
			 The Treaty of Nice 2,618 13,200 
			 Future of Europe 1,417 10,000 
			 Want to know more about Europe 2,783 11,000 
			 Regional Factsheets 1,408 2,200 
			 Five editions of the newsletter 18,568 50,000

Bird Protection (Cyprus)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the trapping and eating of protected migrant birds; and what steps he plans to take to support improved enforcement of bird protection legislation in Cyprus.

Peter Hain: The Government remain concerned that this activity continues to take place in Cyprus, and welcome the inclusion of the issue on the agenda of the forthcoming Berne Standing Committee meeting. For our part, the Sovereign Base Area police have for a number of years put considerable effort into anti-poaching measures. Recently there has been an especially robust campaign including the expansion of anti-poaching patrols. The SBA police also work in close co-operation with the Cyprus Game and Fauna Service. In addition, as part of a larger initiative, the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats is being extended to the SBAs. We intend to continue to work with the Republic of Cyprus to bring an end to this unpleasant and outlawed practice.

European Commission (Costs)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many committees and advisory groups are funded by the European Community to advise the Commission; and at what cost.

Peter Hain: The general budget for the European Union for 2001 lists 473 committees under budget lines A-7031 and A-7032. Appropriations for their expenditure in 2001 totalled 21.96 million euros. The full list of these committees appears on pages 480–508 of the Official Journal of the European Communities of 26 February 2001.

British Russia Centre

Valerie Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual reports of the British Russia Centre and British East-West Centre will be available.

Peter Hain: Copies of the centres' annual report for the financial year 2000–01 have now been placed in the Libraries of both Houses..
	The centres received grant in aid of £226,648 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to support their activities in FY 2000–01. In addition, the centres secured funding of £109,346 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for direct expenditure on projects.
	The centres manage projects to promote and support the development of democratic institutions, the rule of law and society in Russia, eastern Europe and central Asia. Activities last year included sending election observers to Kyrgyzstan; bidding for and winning a contract for a two-year project to assist in reform of tax systems in Russia, and a project to train young lawyers in the south Caucasus in specialist skills relating to the ECHR.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Jack Straw: The four questions which were issued with holding replies received substantive answers within the following timescales:
	(a) 2
	(b) 1
	(c) 1
	(d) 0
	(e) 0.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Jack Straw: Sixty-six named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to my Department between 15 October and 5 November. Of these, 6 per cent. received a holding reply.

Sudan

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UN Special Rapporteur for Sudan's recent comments to the UN General Assembly on the links between oil exploitation and conflict in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The civil war in Sudan started decades before the oil project came on stream in 1999. The main fields are in or close to an area of longstanding conflict between pro and anti government Nuer militias. It is not clear that oil has significantly affected this situation. We are engaged, with our EU partners, in an effort to encourage the Government to be more transparent about the use to which it puts its oil revenues. The Government's assurances that the majority are devoted to development expenditure would be all the more convincing if they were backed up by clear data.
	European Union Heads of Mission held a meeting with the Sudanese Minister of Finance on this subject on 6 November. But the overall objective remains to achieve a lasting peace, which alone will bring an end to suffering in Sudan. In that respect we warmly welcome Senator Danforth's mission to Sudan and intend to work closely with our US and EU colleagues, and interested regional parties, to try to achieve renewed progress.

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods.

Denis MacShane: We have no departmental policy on the purchase of fair trade products though my private office seeks to offer fair trade coffee and teas to visitors.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Sure Start, Birkenhead

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the (a) revenue and (b) capital allocation awarded to Birkenhead for the first year of its Sure Start programme was used.

Jacqui Smith: In the 2000–01 financial year, Sure Start Birkenhead received £141,000 of its revenue allocation and £22,000 of its capital allocation.

Private School Funding

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average extra funding per primary school pupil in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) Shropshire was in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000 and (v) 2001.

Stephen Timms: The Secretary of State is responsible for England only. The funding data for the years in question are as follows:
	
		Shropshire revenue funding per primary pupil
		
			   £  
			  Cash terms Real terms 2000  
			   SSA Grants Total per pupil SSA Grants Total per pupil 
		
		
			 1997–98 2,000 30 2,040 2,150 40 2,180 
			 1998–99 2,100 40 2,140 2,190 40 2,230 
			 1999–2000 2,220 120 2,340 2,260 120 2,380 
			 2000–01 2,300 290 2,590 2,300 290 290 
			 2001–02 2,410 460 2,870 2,350 450 2,800 
			 Change 400 430 830 200 420 610 
		
	
	Note:
	Real terms calculated using GDP deflators published by the Treasury 25 September 2001. The 2001–02 grant figures are provisional and are liable to change. The figures have been rounded to the nearest £10.
	
		England revenue funding per primary school pupil
		
			   £  
			  Cash terms Real terms 2000  
			   SSA Grants Total per pupil SSA Grants Total per pupil 
		
		
			 1997–98 2,130 30 2,160 2,280 30 2,320 
			 1998–99 2,250 40 2,290 2,350 50 2,390 
			 1999–2000 2,370 120 2,490 2,420 120 2,530 
			 2000–01 2,470 290 2,760 2,470 290 2,760 
			 2001–02 2,590 500 3,090 2,520 490 3,010 
			 Change 460 470 920 240 450 690 
		
	
	Note:
	Real terms calculated using GDP deflators published by the Treasury 25 September 2001. The 2001–02 grant figures are provisional and are liable to change. The figures have been rounded to the nearest £10.

Students (Living Expenses)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 2 November 2001, Official Report, column 898W, on costs of living, what estimates the research gave of total required living expenses in (a) London and (b) other parts of England and Wales.

Margaret Hodge: The Student Income and Expenditure Survey 1998–99 did not give estimates of the total required living expenses. It recorded reported expenditure by students of students.

Individual Learning Accounts

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to examine the role of Capita in the operation of their contract to run individual learning accounts; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The Department regularly monitors the performance of Capita in the delivery of ILAs as part of the standard contract management arrangements.

Individual Learning Accounts

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of individual learning account credits was spent on IT-related skills.

John Healey: holding answer 15 November 2001
	The Department holds information specific to basic IT-related learning which attracts an ILA incentive of 80 per cent. As at 31 October, ILAs had supported 765,873 such learning episodes at a total cost of £147,669,129, since the launch of the national framework in September 2000.
	During this period ILAs have supported 1,380,370 learning episodes.
	Course titles for the 20 per cent. ILA discount do not allow precise figures for IT-related learning to be extracted.

Internet Access

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans her Department has to increase internet access to those without computers.

John Healey: The Department has a range of measures to increase access to those without computers particularly for those who live in disadvantaged areas. We are committed to establishing 6,000 UK online centres in England by the end of 2002. There are currently over 1900 UK online centres in operation with more opening each month. They offer access and support to people who have not used, or are not familiar with the internet. In addition we are investing in wiring up communities. Seven pilot projects are exploring how the benefits of access to information and communication technology, including the internet, will help individuals to develop new skills, access job opportunities and become more involved in their communities.
	Excellent progress is being made to improve computer/student ratios in schools, further education colleges and higher education institutions. 97 per cent. of all schools are now connected to the internet. In future all school leavers should have the skills to use and benefit from new technologies.

Educational Maintenance Allowances

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what plans she has to extend educational maintenance allowances to all areas of all local education authorities;
	(2)  what evaluation she intends to make of the educational maintenance allowance pilots; and when.

Ivan Lewis: The educational maintenance allowance (EMA) scheme is still in the pilot stage. There are currently eight different variants of the scheme being tested in a total of 56 local education authorities.
	The Department has commissioned the Centre for Research and Social Policy to carry out a rigorous three-year evaluation study of the pilots which is now in its third year of data collection. The study is examining each of the EMA variants to determine their effect upon participation, retention and achievement in further education. It is an extensive study not only of hard figures on take-up of EMAs but also includes interviews with local practitioners and partners. 20,000 interviews will be carried out with young people from both pilot and control areas to examine what factors influence their decisions at age 16 when considering post-compulsory education.
	Early findings of the study show that EMAs are having a positive effect not only on participation and retention but also on student behaviour. However, it is important that we do not make any decisions on the future of EMAs until we have received satisfactory evaluation conclusions.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers;
	(2)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to her Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Ivan Lewis: We have provided substantive replies to all of the 191 PQs tabled to this Department for answer on a named day between 15 October and 5 November, 96 of which were sent on the named day. Details of all the remaining 95, for which holding replies were issued, are as follows;
	44 were answered within three parliamentary days; 28 within seven parliamentary days; seven within 10 parliamentary days; nine within 15 parliamentary days; and seven over 15 parliamentary days (the longest of which was 22 days after the named day).

SCOTLAND

Ministerial Visits

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  if she will list all official overseas visits undertaken by Ministers in her Department in each year since May 1997, indicating (a) the cost in (i) cash and (ii) real terms, (b) the number and grade of (i) civil servants and (ii) special advisers accompanying Ministers and (c) the number of official engagements or meetings undertaken on each visit; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  on how many occasions in each year since 1992 non-commercial flights were used by Ministers in her Department for official overseas visits; what the (a) destination, (b) Ministers involved, (c) cost and (d) reason for use of non-commercial flights were on each occasion; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 823W.

Ministers (Evidence to Committees)

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what her policy is with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department giving evidence to (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) Welsh Assembly and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly committees; and to what categories of document she gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) Welsh Assembly, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons Select Committees.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1003W.

Royal Prerogative

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the Royal Prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available.

Helen Liddell: Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the Royal Prerogative are exercised, nor would it be practicable to do so.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers;
	(2)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to her Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Helen Liddell: Of the small number of 'named day' written questions (the vast majority are tabled as 'ordinary' written questions instead) tabled to my Department between the dates mentioned, all but one were either answered on the day or within 15 days.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods.

Hilary Benn: We take every opportunity to promote fair trade products and also to support ethical trading in mainstream business. As the hon. Member knows, fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate are available in the House of Commons and they are also available in the Department for International Development refreshment facilities. I understand that a number of other Departments have considered stocking fair trade products.

Afghanistan

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if, in liberated parts of Afghanistan, she will take steps to arrange for children who are seriously injured as a result of the fighting to receive medical treatment where this has not so far been available.

Clare Short: My Department is currently supporting a number of agencies including Save the Children, UNICEF and the Red Cross Movement, which provide health services for children throughout Afghanistan. I have recently announced further financial contributions to both UNICEF and the Red Cross, which will also include support for health services that benefit children.
	We anticipate that the advances made by the Northern Alliance in recent days will improve access and enable more effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Afghanistan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she will publish a detailed humanitarian aid strategy document for Afghanistan.

Clare Short: We have no plans to publish a humanitarian aid strategy document for Afghanistan. Thrice weekly updates on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan are published by my Department and held in the Library of the House. A further paper, "Afghanistan Recovery: An Emergency Plan for the First 100 Days", is also available in the Library of the House.

Afghanistan

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Government's commitment to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan; and how services by road will be sustained.

Clare Short: The UK Government have fully committed to doing all they can to help relieve the suffering of the people of Afghanistan. My Department has set aside £40 million to respond to the current crisis affecting Afghans. In line with the objectives of the international community, our top priorities are to: help meet immediate life saving needs within Afghanistan; support refugee needs in neighbouring countries; help host populations in neighbouring countries through programmes which benefit them; and strengthen international humanitarian agency capacity and co-ordination. Funds are being channelled through UN agencies, the Red Cross and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
	UN agencies, particularly the World Food Programme (WFO), continue to make good and steady progress in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Afghanistan. New land convoy routes into Afghanistan are opening up, and the volume of relief supplies entering the country has increased over recent weeks as a result. With our support, WFP and the Russian Ministry for Emergencies (EMERCOM) have begun a joint operation to transport 9,000 metric tonnes of food from Tajikistan to northern Afghanistan.
	Some mountainous areas of Afghanistan may become cut off by snow during the winter months. WFP are in the process of procuring snowploughs and other equipment to support their trucking operations in these regions. They have already begun snow clearance in the Anjuman Pass—the main north-east route into the Panjsheer Valley. As a last resort, WFP are also looking at the possibility of airdropping food to vulnerable people living in snowbound areas of Afghanistan.
	The changing situation on the ground opens up new opportunities for us to improve humanitarian programmes and give better access to some of the most vulnerable people. Plans are now being made for the international staff of humanitarian agencies to return to parts of Afghanistan as soon as possible. Those agencies should now be able to accelerate deliveries so that winter stockpiles can be built closer to people who need them. However, such progress is dependant on improved security.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers;
	(2)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to her Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Clare Short: We received 21 parliamentary questions for named day answer between 15 October and 6 November of which seven were answered without sending a holding reply. Ten received substantive answers within three days and four within seven days. No named day question took longer than seven days to answer.

Departmental Publications

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what were the total (a) publication and (b) advertising costs for the Department in each of the past four years.

Clare Short: Expenditure in relation to publications in the years in question is as follows:
	
		
			 Year £000 
		
		
			 1997–98 166 
			 1998–99 347 
			 1999–2000 570 
			 2000–01 639 
		
	
	We have adopted a policy of openness and now publish policy documents that were previously kept secret.
	We do not hold a separate advertising budget. However, the bulk of our advertising is in relation to recruitment, on which we spend around £1-£1.2 million per year.

Development and Co-operation Council

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the Development and Co-operation Council held in Brussels on 8 November; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: At its meeting on 8 November, the Development Council, by consensus:
	Noted the progress that had been made in reform of the EC's external programmes, including the publication of the Commission's first ever annual report on external assistance. The Council agreed that further progress was needed and that in order to make the annual report a more useful tool for monitoring progress it should be substantially enhanced next year to include firm indicators of the effectiveness of the EC's aid programmes and policies;
	Agreed that member states would consider further what steps might be taken to establish specific timetables to reach the 0.7 per cent. GNP aid target in the context of preparations for the UN Financing for Development Conference (Mexico March 2002);
	Agreed that, following the events of 11 September, the Council should continue to give priority to implementing the Declaration on Development Policy agreed in November 2000, give increased attention to the development challenges in Asia, and continue to integrate analysis on conflict prevention and resolution into the EC's programmes;
	Agreed conclusions on the preparations for the world summit on sustainable development (Johannesburg September 2002); measures to be taken to address poverty reduction; the link between fisheries policy and poverty reduction; the biodiversity action plan; mainstreaming gender equality in development policy; participation of civil society in the implementation of the Cotonou agreement; improving the EU development response towards ACP countries in crisis and conflict; and a resolution on the importance of development education.

Military Planners

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what contact her Department has had with military planners at US Central Command in Tampa, Florida, to enhance humanitarian aid efforts in Afghanistan;
	(2)  if she has seconded officials from her Department to US Central Command in Tampa, Florida to liaise with US military planners on the humanitarian aid strategy for Afghanistan.

Clare Short: Good civil/military liaison is essential to the effectiveness of the humanitarian effort.
	Civil/military specialists from my Department have been deployed to CENTCOM and to Islamabad to liaise with the coalition military and United Nations humanitarian staff.

Freedom of Information Act

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what date her Department established a working group of officials to prepare her Department for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and on what dates this committee has met since it was set up.

Clare Short: DFID's Knowledge and Communications Committee oversees preparations for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The committee considered freedom of information issues at its meetings in July and November of this year.

"Trade Matters"

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the cost of producing the Departmental publication, "Trade Matters, Eliminating World Poverty, Information Pack"; and how many were produced.

Clare Short: The cost of producing the "Trade Matters" information pack, which included an introductory booklet and 12 briefing papers, was around £48,000.
	The quantities produced were as follows:
	Booklet—30,000 copies
	Briefing papers—36,000 copies (3,000 copies of each of 12)
	Information pack wallets—4,000.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers;
	(2)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Alistair Darling: We received 106 named day parliamentary questions for answer between 15 October and 5 November and we issued holding replies in respect of 18 (17 per cent.).
	Substantive replies were subsequently issued to one question within three parliamentary days, 10 questions within seven parliamentary days, three questions within 10 parliamentary day and two questions over 15 parliamentary days. One question was subsequently transferred to another Department and one remains unanswered.

Benefits

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was recovered, in the last year for which information is available, of the benefits paid to those ineligible to receive such benefits by reason of (a) fraud and (b) mistake; and how much is estimated to remain uncollected.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 16 October 2001
	It is not possible to separate the total amount of overpaid benefit recovered into overpayments due to fraud and those due to other reasons. At the end of September 2001, the total amount of overpayments remaining uncollected was estimated to be £1,040 million.

Benefits

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much a person must have in savings to receive interest equal to the value of (a) the average income support entitlement and (b) the average housing benefit entitlement, if interest is paid according to the base rate of the clearing banks.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table.
	
		
			 Benefit Average amount payable per week (£) Amount of savings needed to earn the equivalent amount in interest 
		
		
			 Income Support 70.21 Between £70,000 and £90,000 
			 Housing Benefit 51.20 Between £50,000 and £65,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Calculations are based on a bank base rate of interest of 5.25 per cent.
	2. The range given reflects the extent to which interest is gross or net of basic rate income tax.
	3. Average benefit rates taken from Housing Benefit Quarterly Summary Statistics May 2001 and the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, 5 per cent. sample, May 2001.
	4. Interest rate taken from Bank of England information on bank base rate appropriate to end of May 2001. This interest rate is arrived at through information provided by selected clearing banks. It has been assumed for the purposes of the calculations that interest can be obtained on a weekly basis without loss compared to the annual rate.
	5. The amounts of savings have been rounded to the nearest five thousand pounds.

Winter Fuel Payment

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many winter fuel payment claims for winter 2000 have been received since the deadline of 31 March; how many of these claims have been allowed; how many have been disallowed; and how many have yet to be processed.

Ian McCartney: For the winter of 2000–01, claims needed to be made before 31 March 2001. To date, there have been 5,379 claims which did not meet this deadline. Some 3,445 of these claims have been allowed. 1,379 have been disallowed, and 573 have still to be processed.

New Deal (Young People)

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many former participants in the new deal have become (a) personal advisers and (b) senior advisers in the new deal for young people.

Nick Brown: The information is not available as the Employment Service does not hold details of the programmes in which all employees were previously engaged.

Pension Credit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he has forecast for expenditure on the pension credit in its first full year.

Ian McCartney: The Government will publish estimates of the costs of the Pension Credit when the Bill is introduced.

Pension Credit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many responses to the pension credit consultation document he has received; who they are from; and if he will make them available in the Library.

Ian McCartney: Over 400 responses were received to the formal consultation exercise (The Pension Credit: A Consultation Paper, Cm4900, November 2000), many welcoming our proposals. We continue to consider views and work closely with groups representing older people to deliver a modernised and dedicated service to meet pensioner needs. We will be announcing our response to the Pension Credit consultation in due course.

SEMA

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how he monitors compliance by SEMA with its latest guidelines; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Medical quality standards, including compliance with training and guidelines, are monitored monthly by SchlumbergerSema Medical Services. Doctors in the Department's Corporate Medical Group are regularly involved in validation of Medical Services' medical quality audit system and its application.
	The Department takes a keen interest in Medical Services' performance against quality targets. Monitoring outcome reports are analysed by the Department's contract management team (IMPACT) and Corporate Medical Group, and stringent requirements are placed on Medical Services to develop and deliver action plans to improve performance where this fails to reach an acceptable standard. Failure to improve may result in service credits being applied.

SEMA

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the service credit arising from SEMA's performance against targets up to 31 March.

Malcolm Wicks: SchlumbergerSema Medical Services' performance against service levels and quality targets is reviewed monthly. Service credits are applied when performance falls below target. The Department aims to apply service credits in a manner which acts as an incentive to improve performance, therefore the decision to apply service credits takes into account any mitigating factors, and the effectiveness of action being taken to improve performance.
	In the period to March 2001 the Department has claimed service credits from SchlumbergerSema on several occasions where there has been failure to deliver the required service or improvements.
	Details of the amount involved are not in the public domain, as commercially sensitive information.

Job Losses

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the numbers of (a) jobs lost and (b) jobs under threat by the events of 11 September; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: Because normal labour market turnover is so large, it is difficult to assess how much is due to particular changes or events.

Benefit Fraud

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the West Chelmsford constituency have been caught involved in (a) social security benefit fraud and (b) housing benefit fraud in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what action was taken against them; and what was the total amount of money calculated to have been lost to the Treasury as a result of the fraud.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is not available.

Benefit Claimant Count

Michael Howard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the impact on Government expenditure of a change in the claimant count of 50,000.

Malcolm Wicks: The impact on Social Security expenditure of either an increase or decrease in unemployment of 50,000 is estimated to be either a saving or additional cost of approximately £250 million, for a full year.

Child Benefit

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans he has to award maximum child benefit to all siblings of a multiple birth;
	(2)  if he will review the provision of child benefit for siblings of a multiple birth.

Malcolm Wicks: There are no plans to award the higher rate of Child Benefit to siblings of a multiple birth.

Stakeholder Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent to companies to remind them of their obligation to offer access to a stakeholder pension.

Ian McCartney: A copy of the letter, and the factsheet that accompanied it, has been placed in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Murder Inquiries

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish details of the arrangements for the inquiries into the murders of (a) Chief Superintendent Breen, (b) Superintendent Buchanan, (c) Lord Justice and Lady Gibson and (d) Billy Wright; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The package of proposals published after the Weston Park talks contained details of the investigation by a judge of international standing into the case of Chief Superintendent Breen and Superintendent Buchanan, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Billy Wright, Patrick Finucane, Rosemary Nelson, and Robert Hamill. Further details will be published in due course.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

John Reid: In total 32 named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to my Department between 15 October and 5 November. Of these, 25 received holding replies.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

John Reid: Of the 25 named day parliamentary written questions tabled to my Department which received holding replies between 15 October and 5 November: (a) none received substantive answers within three parliamentary days; (b) 21 received substantive answers within seven parliamentary days. The remaining four questions will receive substantive responses as soon as possible.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods.

Michael Wills: I refer the hon. Member to the reply provided today by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department for International Development. The Lord Chancellor's Department will take every opportunity to encourage the use of fair trade products through its procurement activities, and specifically during the course of the review of the arrangements for contracted catering services that is planned to take place during the next 12 months.

Jury Rooms (Smoking Ban)

Angela Browning: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 752W, on smoking in jury rooms, if he will give instructions that all asthmatics who are allergic to tobacco fumes will automatically be exempted from jury service.

Michael Wills: There are no plans to introduce any further restrictions on eligibility for jury service. However, a person suffering from asthma, or any other illness, can apply to the Crown court to be excused from service on the ground of personal hardship. It will ultimately be for a judge to decide whether a person should be excused for this reason.

WALES

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods.

Paul Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, International Development. My Department has fewer than 50 staff and does not provide snack or canteen facilities.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers;
	(2)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Paul Murphy: 10 questions. All received substantive answers on the given date.

HEALTH

SNOMED System

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are in place for independent scrutiny and evaluation of the SNOMED system; if the results of that scrutiny will be published; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Agreement has been reached with the College of American Pathologists that a programme of formative evaluation work should be carried out in the national health service, as part of the United Kingdom contribution to the development of the SNOMED clinical terms. This will run through 2002–03. A further independent evaluation will be undertaken and plans are being drawn up for a panel to oversee this process. The SNOMED clinical terms will also be subjected to the NHS information standards approval process, which is overseen by the NHS Information Standards Board. The results of these evaluations will be published.

Intermediate Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy from 1 April 2002 to give people an enforceable right not to be charged for intermediate care services.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 14 November 2001
	Our view is that all intermediate care, as defined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the January circular (Health Service Circular 2000–01: Local Authority Circular (2001)1) and subject to the normal time limits outlined there, should be free at the point of use.
	Services commissioned or provided by the national health service are free. Although councils retain local discretion to charge we are encouraging them to make all such services free at the point of use, through the use of Health Act flexibilities.

Intermediate Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken in evaluating the baseline figures for intermediate care to audit compliance with the criteria set out in paragraph 7 of HSC 2001/01: LAC (2001).

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 14 November 2001
	A recent detailed survey of intermediate care validated the 1999–2000 baseline and established current levels of provision using the defining criteria in the January 2001 circular (Health Service Circular 2001/01: Local Authority Circular (2001)1).

Intermediate Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the definition of intermediate care in HSC 2001/01: LAC (2001).

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 14 November 2001
	The definition in the January 2001 circular (Health Service Circular 2001/01: Local Authority Circular (2001)1) was drawn up in consultation with practitioners in the field. Subsequent feedback indicates that it has brought much needed clarity and is being implemented.
	We shall, however, keep this under review and issue further guidance if needed.

Statutory Instruments (Explanatory Notes)

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the mechanisms for ensuring that Explanatory Notes to Statutory Instruments issued by his Department are comprehensible, with special reference to S.I. No. 3442.

Hazel Blears: It is a long-standing convention that the Explanatory Note of a Statutory Instrument should contain a reference to the full title of any European Commission legislation that is implemented by that Statutory Instrument. In accordance with that convention, the Explanatory Note of Statutory Instrument No. 2001/3442 indicates which EC legislation is being implemented. The subject matter is inherently technical.

Beta Interferon

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the decision by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence not to recommend beta interferon to be supplied by the NHS for patients with multiple sclerosis;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost per patient of supplying beta interferon by the NHS to multiple sclerosis patients;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of NHS patients with multiple sclerosis who would require beta interferon if available from the NHS.

Hazel Blears: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has not yet issued definitive guidance on the use of disease modifying drugs in multiple sclerosis. Its final appraisal determination (FAD) is now at the appeals stage.
	However, as recommended in the FAD we are currently holding discussions with the manufacturers to consider a range of options under which drugs for multiple sclerosis might be made available under the National Health Service. One option is a "risk-sharing" scheme which will evaluate their clinical and cost effectiveness, and until these discussions are concluded we cannot provide detailed information on potential numbers of patients who may be affected. The FAD indicates that the current annual cost per patient of the various available drug treatments is £7,259 (Betaferon), £9,061 (Avonex), £9,088-£12,068 (lower dose/higher dose Rebif) or £6,650 (glatiramer acetate).

Coronary Heart Disease

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at how many places it was possible to treat coronary heart disease (a) in each health authority and (b) in total in England for the last two years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: Coronary heart disease is treated throughout the national health service. Depending on the severity and nature of the disease, patients are treated in a variety of settings, covering prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in both community and hospital settings. It is therefore not possible to quantify provision in the manner requested.

Pneumococcal Vaccination

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the value of pneumococcal vaccination in reducing the winter burden on the NHS;
	(2)  if he will reduce the target age for pneumococcal vaccination to match the flu vaccination programme for older people.

Jacqui Smith: Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for all those aged two years or older in whom pneumococcal infection is likely to be more common and/or dangerous, ie those with:
	Asplenia or severe dysfunction of the spleen
	Chronic renal disease or nephrotic syndrome
	Immunodeficiency or immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, including HIV infection at all stages
	Chronic heart disease
	Chronic lung disease
	Chronic liver disease including cirrhosis
	Diabetes mellitus.
	The Department continues to recommend this vaccine based on underlying ill health rather than age. Because the Department's policy on pneumococcal vaccine is designed to reduce morbidity and mortality, we have made no specific studies on the reduction of winter burden on the national health service.

Mental Health

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to proceed with the reforms of the Mental Health Act 1982 outlined in the White Paper, "Reforming the Mental Health Act"; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: We remain committed to the reform of the Mental Health Act 1983. New legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Nursing Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much each (a) primary care trust and (b) health authority paid in respect of free nursing care up to 31 October; and how many nursing home residents were placed in each registered nursing care contribution band;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of how many hours of nursing care will be funded from each of the registered nursing care contribution bands;
	(3)  pursuant to his answer of 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1329W, on nursing care, if he will place in the Library a copy of the background papers concerning the testing of the registered nursing care contribution tool;
	(4)  pursuant to his answer of 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1329W, on nursing care, (a) how many assessments had been completed by 31 October and (b) how many of these assessments were conducted face to face;
	(5)  pursuant to his answer of 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1329W, on nursing care, how many nurses had completed the training in the use of the tool by 31 October; how many nurses have been designated to undertake assessments; and of these, how many were in post by 31 October.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 5 November 2001
	I refer to the answers given to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 9 November 2001, Official Report, columns 478–79W.
	Copies of an "Evaluation of the Registered Nurse Care Contribution for the Determination of Residents' Needs for Registered Nursing Care, When in Use in Nursing Homes" undertaken by the Gerontological Nursing Programme of the Royal College of Nursing have been placed in the Library.
	The Department is commissioning an evaluation of the implementation of free nursing care.

Nursing Care

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the projected cost is of providing free nursing care for the elderly in England in the next three financial years.

Jacqui Smith: £100 million was made available for free nursing care for adults over the age of 18 in nursing homes for the last six months of 2001–02. The full year costs for 2002–03 are currently being considered and allocations will be made early next year.

EU Food Supplements Directive

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in negotiations regarding the draft EU food supplements directive in protecting the interests of the UK health food industry.

Hazel Blears: We supported the final compromise proposal on which political agreement was reached in the Council of Ministers recently. The final text includes a number of important and hard won concessions which will benefit both United Kingdom consumers and the UK health food industry.

Cutlass Review

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the timetable is for the Cutlass review of medicines;
	(2)  how many patients have been recruited to the Cutlass review (a) to take the existing medicines and (b) to take the atypical medicines;
	(3)  what assessment he has made as to the opinion of psychiatrists on the efficacy of atypical anti-psychotic medicines.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 12 November 2001
	A multi-centred, randomised, controlled trial of the Cost Utility of The Latest Antipsychotics in Severe Schizophrenia (CUTLASS) is being conducted under the Department's health technology assessment programme. The trial, which compares new (atypical) drugs with conventional drugs, started in 1999 and is due to end in November 2002. The design of the trial means that it is not possible to extract information before the trial is completed about how many patients have taken which drugs. It is similarly not possible to provide information on results until the trial is ended.

Treatments

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if it is his policy that treatments should not be available in the NHS unless they have been subjected to randomised controlled trials;
	(2)  what proportion of treatments used in the NHS have been subjected to randomised controlled trials.

Jacqui Smith: No. Clinicians may choose to prescribe medication on the national health service which has not yet been licensed for use in this country (with the manufacturer providing supplies on a "named patient" basis) or is not licensed for a particular indication for which it is to be used. The clinician will do so only after considering the benefit of administering the medicine in relation to the risk involved.
	We do not hold information on the use of treatments which have not been the subject of randomised controlled trials.

Antipsychotic Medicines

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made as to the likely occurrence of (a) tardive dyskinesia and (b) other side effects from the use of (i) atypical antipsychotic medicines and (ii) older treatments;
	(2)  what the main side effects are from the use of typical antipsychotic medicines; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The safety and efficacy of antipsychotics are assessed at the time of licensing by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) with expert advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM).
	Tardive dyskinesia is a well-recognised side effect of older "typical" antipsychotics. Tardive dyskinesia is of particular concern because it may be irreversible on withdrawing therapy and treatment is usually ineffective. Factors predisposing to the development of tardive dyskinesia include old age, female sex, affective disorder, schizophrenia characterised by negative symptoms and organic brain damage. Newer atypical antipsychotics have been developed that are better tolerated, but tardive dyskinesia can still occur following long term administration with these drugs. The lower incidence of tardive dyskinesia with atypical antipsychotics remains to be established although at present this does appear to be the case.
	Information on possible adverse effects is available in the summary of product characteristics which is produced by the manufacturer and approved by the licensing authority for each medicine. Tardive dyskinesia is well documented in the product information for both typical and atypical antipsychotics and is also described in the British National Formulary which provides guidance on prescribing to doctors.
	Other side effects of older, typical antipsychotics can include; drowsiness, agitation, convulsions, dizziness, headache, confusion, gastrointestinal disturbances, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty with passing urine and blurred vision, cardiovascular symptoms, endocrine effects, blood abnormalities and skin rashes.
	As with all medicines the safety of antipsychotics (typical and atypical) are continuously monitored by the MCA and the independent expert advisory body, the CSM.

Patients (Testing)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  under what circumstances it is lawful for patients to be tested without their knowledge or consent; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what guidance and legislation applies to staff of accident and emergency departments on testing girls under the age of 10 years for pregnancy without their knowledge or agreement or that of their parents.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 12 November 2001
	In treating a child, the welfare of the child must be paramount. While in most circumstances we would expect a child and, where relevant, his or her parents to be involved in decisions about that child's treatment or care, in certain circumstances—for example emergencies—this may not be possible.
	A range of tests would be carried out in the case of abdominal pain, intended to facilitate a diagnosis, dependent upon whether or not the health professional involved considers the test to be an appropriate medical response to the symptoms presented. Ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening. The test described does not involve any form of physical intervention as the child is asked to give samples to enable the tests, and will voluntarily agree to provide these samples. Therefore there can be no question of assault by staff. The potential of pregnancy in a very young child may raise the question of abuse which, once the child's health has been safeguarded, may require further investigation. Following the case of Gillick, the courts have held that children who have sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable them to understand fully what is involved in an intervention will also have the capacity to consent to that intervention.
	While there is no English statute setting out the general principles of consent, case law ("common law") exists. The Department has published the "Reference Guide to Consent for Examination or Treatment", (March 2001) which provides guidance in this respect. This states:
	"A life threatening emergency may arise when consultation with either a person with parental responsibility or the court is impossible, or the persons with parental responsibility refuse consent despite such emergency treatment appearing to be in the best interests of the child. In such cases the courts have stated that doubt should be resolved in favour of the preservation of life and it will be acceptable to undertake treatment to preserve life or prevent serious damage to health". (Section 3.8.5, page 17.)
	In respect of adults, except in strictly defined circumstances (for example under the Mental Health Act) an adult cannot be subjected to a test which involves a physical intervention without his or her consent if the person is capable of giving it. If the person lacks capacity to consent, in England and Wales the test can be carried out if it is in the best interests of the person concerned. The law in Scotland is somewhat different.
	We announced in the NHS Plan (paragraph 10.22) that we intend to ensure that good practice in consent for examination and treatment is in place in clinical and research settings, with changes to be introduced from the end of 2001. Guidance for health professionals and leaflets for patients have been produced to inform people about their rights and responsibilities earlier this year. Ministers are currently considering a model consent policy and revised consent forms for the national health service.

Endometriosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many cases of endometriosis diagnosed at (a) Dorset County, (b) Poole General and (c) Royal Bournemouth hospitals in the 1999–2000 data year were classified stage three or four;
	(2)  how many endometriosis patients from Dorset were referred out of county for laser treatment during the data year 1999–2000;
	(3)  how many cases of endometriosis were diagnosed in the 1999–2000 data year at (a) Dorset County, (b) Poole General and (c) Royal Bournemouth hospitals.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 14 November 2001
	The Department does not collect information showing the number of patients diagnosed with endometriosis, or the classification of the condition. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chief executives of the national health service trusts concerned for further information.
	Information from the health episode statistics database shows that no patients from Dorset were referred out of the health authority area for laser treatment for endometriosis.

NHS Reconfiguration Panel

David Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the composition of the NHS reconfiguration panel; when he expects appointments to this body will be made; what the remit of the panel is; and what measures he is taking to ensure its independence.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 14 November 2001
	Composition of the independent reconfiguration panel (IRP) will follow the modernisation board model of one third professionals, one third managers and one third patients' and citizens' representatives. Dr. Peter Barrett has been appointed chair of the IRP. The members are being selected through open competition and the interviews are due to take place shortly. The aim is to complete the appointments process by the end of the year.
	The panel's draft terms of reference were outlined in the press release accompanying Dr. Barrett's appointment. These will need to be agreed with the panel membership before being confirmed. The panel will provide authoritative advice to the Secretary of State on referred proposals for national health service service change. The panel will publish the advice it gives in relation to each proposal referred to them by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
	The IRP will have a crucial role in advising on the outcome of significant reconfigurations, making the process more transparent and accountable. It is important to have public confidence in the panel and the processes it will use in its deliberations.
	We propose to hold a simulation exercise early in the new year to which all major stakeholders will be invited to participate. We are also committed to consulting widely on the criteria that the panel will use. The simulation exercise will form part of the consultation process.

Electro-convulsive Therapy

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the trends have been in the use of electro-convulsive therapy in the last 15 years; and what research his Department has undertaken into the trends.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 15 November 2001
	The most recent information available concerning trends in the administration of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) is contained in the one-off survey covering the period from January 1999 to March 1999, England only, that was undertaken to provide an up-to-date and accurate snapshot picture of the use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). A copy of this document is available in the Library.
	The results of the ECT survey showed that in keeping with the trend from 1985 through 1999–91 the number of administrations of ECT has declined. The estimated 65,930 administrations of ECT compares with 105,466 reported administrations in 1990–91 and 137,940 in 1985.

Waiting Lists

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been waiting more than 13 weeks for an out-patient appointment (a) on the latest day for which figures are available and (b) for the previous quarter, in the Mid Essex hospital trust area.

John Hutton: The information requested is given in the table.
	Total number of patients waiting 13 weeks or more for an outpatient appointment at Mid Essex hospital services national health service trust at quarter 1 2001–02 (June 2001) and quarter 2 2001–02 (September 2001).
	
		Number of patients waiting over 13 weeks
		
			 2001–02 Number 
		
		
			 Quarter 1 (June 2001) 2,146 
			 Quarter 2 (September 2001) 2,439 
		
	
	Source:
	QM08 quarterly return

Waiting Lists

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were (a) waiting for inpatient treatment and (b) waiting more than 12 months for inpatient treatment, on the latest day for which figures are available in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is given in the table.
	Total number of patients waiting and the number of patients waiting over 12 months for hospital treatment at Mid Essex hospital services national health service trust in September 2001.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 September 2001  
			 Total waiting 8,968 
			 Waiting over 12 months 683 
		
	
	Source:
	Monthly waiting list return

Digital Hearing Aids

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the July 2000 NICE guidance on NHS audiology services and digital hearing aids was published before the financial contract for the NHS bulk purchasing of digital hearing aids for the first wave sites had been completed.

Jacqui Smith: Yes. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance was published in July 2000 and the bulk purchasing contract was completed at the beginning of October 2000.

Digital Hearing Aids

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will set out the timetable for the evaluation of digital hearing aids under the 20 first wave sites;
	(2)  what guidance his Department has given to the 20 NHS sites providing digital hearing aids for the financial year 2002–03;
	(3)  pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) of 29 October 2001, Official Report, column 560W, on digital hearing aids, what evaluation has been made of the impact that an extra £25 million extra expenditure on audiology services will have; and by what date his Department expects to make a decision as to the speed and scale of the modernisation of NHS audiology services.

Jacqui Smith: Twenty national health service trusts are participating in the modernising hearing aid services pilot project, which is addressing the most effective hearing aids for NHS patients, the best ways of supplying hearing aids and how a modernised hearing aid service can best be delivered to NHS patients. £11 million has been invested since May 2000 and up to 18,000 people will have benefited by March 2002.
	The Institute of Hearing Research is evaluating the modernisation project on behalf of the Department. Interim reports have been made available to the Department, based on limited data at this stage, suggesting that there is benefit to patients from a digital hearing aid fitted in a modernised service. The evaluation is on-going and further reports are expected to be available in March and December 2002.
	Detailed guidance on patient protocols, when to fit various aids etc., has been given to those sites participating in the pilot. Guidance will be updated based on the experience of the pilot sites. Subject to favourable evaluation, we will make decisions about how best to spread the modernised services, including the provision of digital hearing aids, throughout the NHS. We have earmarked funds to begin roll-out and up to £25 million will be invested by 2003–04 subject to further favourable evaluation. Funding decisions for 2002–03 will be made in time to allow sites to make plans for delivering services for that financial year.

Digital Hearing Aids

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to monitor the number of people who have decided to purchase digital hearing aids from overseas.

Jacqui Smith: No such steps are being taken. People who purchase digital hearing aids overseas are not required to inform the Department of their purchase.

NHS Plan

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the sponsors for the public consultation to confer on the NHS plan referred to in Annex E (p112) of the Department's Annual report 2001.

John Hutton: The sponsors in kind who helped us with the distribution of the NHS Plan by making copies available on their shelves were five retail chains: Safeway, Morrisons, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury; and three high street pharmaceutical chains: Boots, Lloyds and Superdrug.

Osteoporosis

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he will take to encourage primary care organisations to consider the recommendations in "Primary Care Strategy for Falls and Osteoporosis", published by the National Osteoporosis Society in July;
	(2)  what was the cost to the health service of dealing with osteoporotic fractures in each of the last three years;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the impact which recommendations in the "Primary Care Strategy for Falls and Osteoporosis", published by the National Osteoporosis Society in July, could have on reducing the number of fractures which the health service has to deal with;
	(4)  what estimate he has made of the impact which recommendations in "Primary Care Strategy for Falls and Osteoporosis", published by the National Osteoporosis Society in July, could have on reducing the cost to the national health service of dealing with fractures.

Jacqui Smith: The latest evidence suggests that the annual cost of hip fractures in the United Kingdom is in excess of £1.7 billion. Hip fractures are caused mainly by osteoporosis. Through the National Service Framework for Older People we have signalled the importance of addressing osteoporosis. This document sets targets and milestones for local health and social care systems to establish an integrated falls service, which will include appropriate interventions and advice to prevent osteoporotic fracture.
	We welcome the National Osteoporosis Society's primary care strategy for falls and osteoporosis. This strategy, involving many different agencies, is an excellent example of the type of integrated approach that is likely to be successful in the long term. We hope that local health care providers make its implementation a priority in their work to develop the osteoporosis aspects of integrated falls services.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Jacqui Smith: The Department received 345 named day parliamentary questions in the period 15 October to 5 November, 61 per cent. received a holding answer.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is as follows:
	Substantively answered within three days—69 per cent.
	Substantively answered within seven days—15 per cent.
	Substantively answered within 10 days—9 per cent.
	Substantively answered within 15 days—1 per cent.
	Substantively answered over 15 days—0 per cent.
	A further 6 per cent. are still to be answered.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Holocaust Memorial Day

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the decision of the BBC not to televise Holocaust Memorial Day 2002.

Kim Howells: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), on 13 November 2001, Official Report, columns 638–39W.

European Year of People with Disabilities

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her plans for the 2003 European Year of People with Disabilities.

Kim Howells: National plans for the 2003 European Year of People with Disabilities are still in an embryonic state. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston is leading on this issue, and I understand that a decision to approve the formation of the National Co-ordinating Committee will not be taken until 3 December. I will be pleased to consider what contribution would be most appropriate for my Department when this is requested.

WPC Kaur

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  at the employment tribunal hearing of the claim by WPC Kaur, how many days were taken (a) by the claimants' case and (b) by the response on her behalf; when the judgment is expected; and if she will instruct the Royal Park Constabulary not to stop paying WPC Kaur before the judgment is given;
	(2)  if she (a) instructed him not to and (b) was informed that the former head of the Royal Parks Constabulary did not give oral evidence on her behalf in the employment tribunal case of WPC Kaur.

Kim Howells: holding answer 15 November 2001
	Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its chief executive, William Weston. I have asked him to arrange for replies to be given.
	Letter from William Weston to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 16 November 2001
	I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the tribunal involving PC Kaur because this is an operational matter that is the responsibility of the Royal Parks Agency.
	The industrial tribunal sat on a number of days between 24th September and 17th October. During that time the presentation of the claimant's case took six and a half days and the case for the Secretary of State took five and a half days. No indication was given as to when a judgement will be forthcoming.
	The former Chief Officer of the Royal Parks was not called to give evidence. The former Deputy Chief Officer was due to give evidence but was unable to do so because he was unwell. We would not expect to inform the Secretary of State about such a detail of the proceedings unless it was of particular significance.
	The question of how PC Kaur is paid is not related to the period of the tribunal. We have been paying her according to the procedures for paying all staff in the Agency (and the Royal Parks Constabulary) who are absent from work through sickness and we will continue to pay her on this basis, regardless of when the judgement of the tribunal is made known.

Ofcom

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her plans are for representation for Scotland on the proposed Ofcom; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: holding answer 15 November 2001
	The draft Communications Bill to be published in spring 2002 will contain details of how the interests of Scotland will be represented within Ofcom.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers;
	(2)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to her Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Kim Howells: Of the 44 named day written questions tabled to the Department between 15 October 2001 and 5 November 2001, 27 received holding answers. Of these, 20 received substantive answers within three parliamentary days, four within seven parliamentary days, two within 10 parliamentary days, and one within 15 parliamentary days of the holding answer being issued.

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods.

Kim Howells: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recognises the public desire to purchase ethically and environmentally sound goods where this is practical. It is inherent in the Department's environmental management system that it should seek to influence the supply chain in favour of fair trade type goods but, at the same time the expenditure of public money demands that procurement must achieve value for money via a competitive market. Where fair trade can compete successfully against other suppliers for cost, quality and service the Department will give preference to the ethical and environmentally acceptable option.

DEFENCE

HMS Ocean

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, 
	(1)  pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) of 30 October 2001, Official Report, column 659W, for what reason the docking period for HMS Ocean planned for early 2002 has been brought forward; if its four month duration can be shortened; and which Lloyd's Survey Standards it is designed to achieve;
	(2)  when HMS Ocean will be ready for deployment;
	(3)  whether repairs other than routine maintenance are required on HMS Ocean.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 8 November 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) on 2 November 2001, Official Report, column 877W, and the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 9 November 2001, Official Report, column 433W.
	While it would have been possible to reduce the duration of the now deferred docking period, the optimum solution in the current operational circumstances is to carry out the shorter assisted maintenance period at Ocean's home port of Portsmouth, rather than dock the vessel. This will also maximise the time ships staff can spend with their families before rejoining the vessel if she is required for operational deployment.
	A number of surveys to meet Lloyd's standard are undertaken over a period of time to assess the vessel's condition. Many of these surveys can be completed while the vessel is afloat but those which can be undertaken only in dock will be deferred until the docking period. This will not affect the ability of the vessel to operate safely.

Public-private Partnerships

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the projects in his Department which have been considered as potential public private partnerships since 1997 which have not been undertaken because the public sector comparator had a lower net present value than the public private partnership proposed; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chief Secretary on 13 November 2001, Official Report, column 607W. Rigorous appraisal processes are applied to public-private partnerships to ensure that they are workable and appropriate, as well as economic. This usually means that we can confirm the viability or otherwise of a project at an early stage. There have been no cases in the last four years within defence where it has been decided not to proceed with a project because of financial comparisons with the public sector comparator.

RAF St. Athan

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of RAF St. Athan; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 706W. The position remains that we are continuing to work closely with all stakeholders to develop a solution for the St. Athan site. An announcement will be made once this work is complete.

Recruitment

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence of those recruited to the armed forces, how many have successfully completed initial training at depots in each of the last 10 years.

Adam Ingram: The information is not held in the format or period requested. Details that are available are set out in the table.
	
		
			 Year Intake Gains to trained strength 
		
		
			 Naval service   
			 1995–96 2,337 1,483 
			 1996–97 3,959 2,144 
			 1997–98 4,600 2,959 
			 1998–99 4,767 3,028 
			 1999–2000 4,953 3,314 
			 2000–01 4,623 3,052 
			
			 Army   
			 1995–96 12,911 7,194 
			 1996–97 15,522 8,718 
			 1997–98 15,379 9,492 
			 1998–99 16,963 9,331 
			 1999–2000 16,483 10,472 
			 2000–01 14,714 9,994 
			
			 RAF   
			 1995–96 2,424 2,032 
			 1996–97 2,684 2,292 
			 1997–98 3,526 3,074 
			 1998–99 4,246 3,477 
			 1999–2000 4,097 3,433 
			 2000–01 3,632 3,072 
		
	
	For all of the services there is limited correlation between intake and gains to the trained strength because the date of entry and date of completing training will often fall in different financial years.The figures reflect not just the completion of basic training but also the initial specialist training required to allow each person to join the trained strength of his/her service.

Defence Aviation Repair Agency

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Defence Aviation Repair Agency requested the assistance of the Welsh Development Agency to facilitate the relocation of the fixed wing aircraft repair business from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff International Airport.

Adam Ingram: Informal discussions initially took place between the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) and the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) during October and November 2000. DARA gave a formal presentation to the WDA on 12 December 2000 detailing the business development needs at DARA's sites in Wales (St. Athan and Sealand).

Defence Aviation Repair Agency

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cost of retaining four sites within the Defence Aviation Repair Agency.

Adam Ingram: No formal assessment of the cost of retaining four sites within the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) has been carried out. I refer my hon. Friend to the letter by the then Minister of State for the armed forces, Mr. Spellar, dated 31 January 2001, which gives a breakdown of the actual cost for running the four sites in financial year 1999–2000, copies of which were placed in the Library of the House.

Afghanistan

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 2001, Official Report, column 874, on Afghanistan, what his estimate is of how many civilians have been killed as a result of Coalition action; and how many actions have caused unintended (a) injury and (b) damage.

Adam Ingram: We cannot estimate the number of civilian casualties or the number of actions that have caused unintended injury or damage because we have no means of independently verifying the allegations made in Afghanistan.
	As has regularly been made clear in the House, our targeting processes are rigorous and every effort is made to avoid civilian casualties and damage to non-military equipment and buildings.

Afghanistan

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the deployment of British forces in Afghanistan.

Geoff Hoon: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the House on 14 November 2001, Official Report, columns 861–79.

Afghanistan

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 2001, Official Report, column 874W, on Afghanistan, how many claims of damage to civilian life and property have been carefully investigated; which agencies are responsible for investigating such claims; and if he will place (a) copies of those claims and (b) the results of the investigations made by the Coalition in the Library.

Adam Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Afghanistan

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 2001, Official Report, column 874W, on Afghanistan, how many battle damage assessment reports he has received; and how many attacks on a target were over 50 per cent. successful.

Adam Ingram: I receive regular Battle Damage Assessment reports and am kept updated on significant developments. The success of missions is not measured in terms of a percentage but against the achievement of military objectives. Our objectives of destroying terrorist camps and creating the right conditions for future action in Afghanistan, including possible humanitarian or stabilisation operations, have been met. As recent events show, we are also making progress on our objective of limiting the Taliban's ability to protect and support Osama bin Laden and the al-Quaeda organisation.

Departmental Assets

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value of his Department's assets holdings is, broken down by asset holder, under the headings of (a) Land & Buildings Scotland, (b) Land & Buildings UK, (c) Land & Buildings Overseas, (d) Fighting Equipment, (e) Nuclear Submarine Fleet, (f) Nuclear Missile Capacity, (g) Heritage Assets, (h) Plant & Machinery, (i) Vehicles and (j) Investments, in the last financial year for which figures are available.

Adam Ingram: Information on asset values for the 1999–2000 financial year is contained in the Ministry of Defence section (Section 7) of the National Asset Register published by the Treasury in July 2001. The register lists asset holdings by Top Level Budget Holder and Agency Chief Executive in the asset categories agreed by the Treasury. A copy of the register is available in the Library of the House. Providing the information in the format requested could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on our asset holdings for 2000–01 will be published in the Departmental Resource Accounts in December. These will provide a breakdown by Treasury category at MOD departmental level.

Northern Ireland

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops have been stationed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Adam Ingram: The number of Armed Forces personnel stationed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years is set out in the table.
	
		
			 As at 31 October Number of troops 
		
		
			 1991 17,962 
			 1992 18,982 
			 1993 19,022 
			 1994 18,345 
			 1995 17,070 
			 1996 16,490 
			 1997 16,716 
			 1998 15,566 
			 1999 14,459 
			 2000 13,640 
			 2001 13,820

Swift Sword II

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many battle groups exercised within 1 Armoured Division during exercise Swift Sword II.

Adam Ingram: The UK Land contribution to Exercise Saif Sareea II comprised Headquarters 1 UK Armoured Division, 3 Commando Brigade, 4 Armoured Brigade and 102 Logistic Brigade. Of this force, 4 Armoured Brigade, commanding two fully equipped armoured battlegroups, came under the command of 1 UK Division.

Short Service Commissions

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the conversion rate of short service to regular commissions in each of the last 10 years.

Adam Ingram: Lists of the conversion rate of short service to regular commissions in each of the last 10 years are shown by individual service in the tables.
	
		All naval service officers (trained and untrained)
		
			 Year Short commission strength Conversions Rate (percentage) 
		
		
			 1991–92 1,659 (9)134 8.1 
			 1992–93 1,560 (9)128 8.2 
			 1993–94 1,450 (9)101 7.0 
			 1994–95 1,299 (9)75 5.8 
			 1995–96 1,201 (9)123 10.2 
			 1996–97 1,204 (9)167 13.9 
			 1997–98 1,158 (9)184 15.9 
			 1998–99 1,089 (9)179 16.4 
			 1999–2000 1,383 180 13.0 
			 2000–01 1,694 233 13.7 
		
	
	(9) Incomplete data
	Note:
	Some of the information requested is not held as complete data, and the tables are marked accordingly.
	
		Army officers trained strength
		
			  SSC start strength Conversions to Reg. C Rate (percentage) 
		
		
			 1 April 1991 4,721 596 12.6 
			 1 April 1992 4,506 507 11.3 
			 1 April 1993 4,264 387 9.1 
			 1 April 1994 3,770 320 8.5 
			 1 April 1995 3,417 272 8.0 
			 1 April 1996 3,174 247 7.8 
			 1 April 1997 3,162 259 8.2 
			 1 April 1998 3,314 254 7.7 
			 1 April 1999 3,237 173 5.3 
			 1 April 2000 3,164 119 3.8 
		
	
	Note:
	Until the 'Stepping Stone' approach to commissions was introduced on 1 March 1999, short service commission (SSC) officers could convert to regular commission (Reg. C) or special regular commission (SRC). Subsequently, the standard progression has been from SSC to intermediate regular commission (IRC) and then to Reg. C. As a result, fewer officers now go direct from SSC to Reg. C.
	Statistics for transfers to IRC are not yet to hand. I will write to the hon. Member with these statistics when they are available and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
	
		All RAF officers (trained and untrained)
		
			  Conversions SSC to permanent commission  
			  SSC strength Conversions Rate (percentage) 
		
		
			 1991–92 1,614 133 8 
			 1992–93 1,621 182 11 
			 1993–94 1,460 159 11 
			 1994–95 1,260 115 9 
			 1995–96 1,018 93 9 
			 1996–97 799 103 13 
			 1997–98 626 162 26 
			 1998–99 513 102 20 
			 1999–2000 570 126 22 
			 2000–01 574 125 22

Cluster Bombs

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation has been made by (a) the UK and (b) its allies of the use of cluster bombs in Kosovo, with particular respect to the impact of these weapons on civilians (i) during and (ii) after hostilities.

Adam Ingram: 531 RBL 755 cluster bombs were dropped by the RAF during Operation Allied Force. We assessed them to have performed reliably and within their specification. I have no information on allies' evaluation of similar weapons.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Adam Ingram: According to our records, 153 named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to the Ministry of Defence between 15 October and 5 November. The proportion which received a holding reply is 35 per cent.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Adam Ingram: According to our records 153 named day parliamentary questions were tabled to the Ministry of Defence between 15 October and 5 November. I am unable to provide details in the format requested, however, the table gives details of those questions which received an answer within the time scale specified:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Within three parliamentary days 15 
			 Within seven parliamentary days 1 
			 Within 10 parliamentary days 0 
			 Within 15 parliamentary days 0 
			 Over 15 parliamentary days 1 
		
	
	These figures include answers which gave an undertaking to write to hon. Members.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Review Bodies

Chris Bryant: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews established since 2 May 1997 were in existence between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001.

Christopher Leslie: I have today placed this information in the Libraries of the House, in the form of an annual report; a copy is also being placed in the Vote Office. Future reports will be published annually.
	Task forces, advisory groups and reviews provide independent, expert advice to Government on a wide range of issues. These are an effective means of securing high quality advice on matters of real public concern and they seek to operate in as open and transparent a way as possible. While they are not a new phenomenon, it is only since 1997 that detailed information on them has been public.

Pension Mis-selling

Jim Cousins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the total lump sum cash payment received by the civil service pension schemes from transfers back into such schemes as a result of the outcome of private pension mis-selling; and if he will estimate the sums still to come.

Christopher Leslie: This information is not held centrally and the information below has been collected from scheme administrators.
	The total amount received for the last three complete financial years (1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01) is £7,147,792. This does not include any amounts received in respect of staff employed by either the Ministry of Defence or the Crown Prosecution Service for 1998–99 as these figures are not available.
	I cannot estimate any sums still to be received. It is for those who have mis-sold pension policies to identify cases and, under the relevant Financial Services Authority guidelines, make restoration payments to the PCSPS.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers;
	(2)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Christopher Leslie: During the period queried the Cabinet Office received 20 named day questions of which seven (equating to 35 per cent.) had holding replies.
	Of these seven holding replies, one parliamentary question was answered within three parliamentary days; two were answered within seven parliamentary days; one was answered within 10 parliamentary days; and three were answered within 15 parliamentary days.

People's Panel

Mark Oaten: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister with effect from which date the People's Panel has been wound up.

Christopher Leslie: The People's Panel has not been wound up. The contract with MORI does not expire until the end of January 2002. By that time, decisions will have been made about the future of the panel.

Regeneration

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for each (a) area-based and (b) other regeneration-related initiative for which his Department is responsible, what is (i) the amount budgeted and (ii) the total expenditure in each financial year for the planned lifetime of each initiative (A) nationally and (B) in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency.

Barbara Roche: The Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for the Government Office network which administers initiatives of the type referred to on behalf of other Departments. The budgets for such initiatives are the responsibility of the Secretaries of State for those Departments.

Regional Schemes

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what regional schemes are in operation in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency.

Barbara Roche: The Government office for the north east administers the following major schemes operating in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency:
	Programmes under the Local Transport Plan;
	Programmes under Objectives 2 and 3 European funding;
	Regional Selective Assistance;
	The Housing Investment Programme; and
	Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Regional Schemes

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what regional schemes are managed by the Government Office for the North East; how long they will run; and how much investment is involved.

Barbara Roche: The Government Office for the North East delivers many programmes in the region for a number of government departments. Major programme expenditure includes:
	£458 million to improve transport infrastructure for five years (2001–06);
	£434 million over the years 2000–06 by the European Commission under the European Structural Funds;
	£215 million under the New Deal for Communities initiative over 10 years (2000 and 2011);
	£186 million under the Regional Selective Assistance scheme between 1997 and 2001;
	£175 million in 2001–02 under the Housing Investment Programme;
	£119 million under the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund initiative over 3 years (2001–04).

48-hour Week (Waivers)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many civil servants in each Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours per week; for how many the Minister has rescinded such a waiver; what grade of civil servant is involved; for what reason the waiver was requested; by whom; and if he will make a statement on his policy.

Christopher Leslie: This information is not held centrally. It could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	It is for individual departments and agencies to put into place measures which they consider necessary to ensure compliance with the Regulations.

Technologies Advisory Group

Paul Burstow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what is (a) the remit and (b) the membership of the Technologies Advisory Group.

Christopher Leslie: The Technical Advisory Group (recently renamed as the Technology Advisory Group) was formed by the Office of the e-Envoy earlier this year to enable government to obtain the views of expert and representative members of the Technology, Media and Telecoms Sectors and other industry on technology issues affecting the realisation of the e-government vision. The mechanism also enables industry to gain a clearer understanding of the current and possible future direction of e-government. The full terms of reference for the Group are at Annex A.
	The membership of the Group is a cross-section of experts mainly at Technical Director level drawn by invitation from twenty or so industry leading organisations. The Department of Trade and Industry, the Society of IT Managers (SOCITM) and the Computer Software Services Association (CSSA) are also represented. A full list of members is attached at Annex B.
	The group met for the first time in July and a second meeting was held in September. The next meeting is planned for December 2001. The subject matter has included the e-Government Interoperability Framework (the e-GIF), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Channels Strategies for e-government services.
	A sister group, the E-business Advisory Group (EAG), was also established this year with a remit to provide views on how best to introduce e-business ideas and approaches across the Public Sector.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the cost to local authorities of seeking antisocial behaviour orders.

John Denham: Based on a survey of 21 cases conducted in April this year, the average cost of applying for an antisocial behaviour order was calculated to be £4,800. This is the cost to either the local authority or the police and includes staff costs associated with evidence gathering, preparing the case and attending court.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the time taken to obtain antisocial behaviour orders broken down by the time taken to (a) collect evidence, (b) consult with interested parties and (c) complete court proceedings; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: This information is not available centrally.

Dyfed-Powys Police

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Ceredigion of 24 October 2001, Official Report, column 67W, on police suspensions, what is the cost of the suspension of the officers in the Aberystwyth division of Dyfed-Powys police since September and December 1999.

John Denham: holding answer 2 November 2001
	The Professional Standards Department of Dyfed-Powys police has informed me that the two officers from the Aberystwyth division were suspended on full pay in accordance with Police Regulations. At the time of suspension, one officer was in receipt of an annual salary of £22,323; the second officer was in receipt of an annual salary of £23,787.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to his Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued;
	(2)  how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to his Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

David Blunkett: 156 named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to the Home Department for answer between 15 October and 5 November. Of these, 92 (59 per cent.) were given a holding answer.
	Of these 92 questions:
	(a) 62 were given a substantive answer within three parliamentary days,
	(b) 12 were given a substantive answer between four and seven parliamentary days,
	(c) seven were given a substantive answer between eight and 10 parliamentary days,
	(d) seven were given a substantive answer between 11 and 15 parliamentary days, and
	(e) three were given a substantive answer over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.
	A further one has yet to be answered.

Special Constables

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many special constables there were in the (a) City of London and (b) Metropolitan police area in (i) May 1997 and (ii) for the latest month for which figures are available based on current police area boundaries;
	(2)  how many special constables there were in the (a) City of London and (b) Metropolitan police area in (i) May 1997 based on old police area boundaries and (ii) for the latest month for which figures are available, based on current boundaries.

John Denham: holding answer 5 November 2001
	The strength of the City of London and Metropolitan police special constabularies as at March 1997 and March 2001, the latest date for which figures on special constabulary strength are available, are set out in the table:
	
		
			  March 1997 March 2001 
		
		
			 City of London police 86 43 
			 Metropolitan police 1,714 774 
		
	
	The boundary of the Metropolitan police district was redrawn with effect from April 2000, with responsibility for policing areas outside the London boroughs being transferred to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey constabularies.
	The Government are committed to increasing the special constabulary and as part of the police reform process we are looking at radical improvements in the management, welfare and deployment of special constables.

Islamic Radicals (Extradition)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since May 1997 requests for extradition of Islamic radicals based in the United Kingdom have been turned down; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: None.

Police Resignations

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many resignations there were from the police force in the year to March (a) 1997 and (b) 2001 due to (i) medical and (ii) other reasons.

John Denham: holding answer 24 October 2001
	The information requested is in the table provided by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
	
		
			  Medical retirements Other reasons  
			 Forces 1996–97 2000–01 1996–97 2000–01 
		
		
			 England and Wales 2,012 1,209 3,340 4,244 
			 Avon and Somerset 66 42 113 89 
			 Bedfordshire 15 18 35 33 
			 Cambridgeshire 20 11 39 55 
			 Cheshire 19 22 45 57 
			 City of London 7 9 30 29 
			 Cleveland 22 9 25 41 
			 Cumbria 18 24 40 37 
			 Derbyshire 39 12 32 39 
			 Devon and Cornwall 21 15 106 116 
			 Dorset 11 12 52 54 
			 Durham 23 8 25 41 
			 Dyfed-Powys 12 14 19 33 
			 Essex 29 34 72 106 
			 Gloucestershire 11 7 45 43 
			 Greater Manchester 207 110 152 189 
			 Gwent 28 16 26 34 
			 Hampshire 21 17 111 167 
			 Hertfordshire 10 13 64 99 
			 Humberside 19 20 47 98 
			 Kent 15 29 108 124 
			 Lancashire 36 30 70 99 
			 Leicestershire 29 28 44 50 
			 Lincolnshire 11 4 42 49 
			 Merseyside 167 47 73 109 
			 Metropolitan police 457 225 623 917 
			 Norfolk 15 10 65 49 
			 North Wales 33 31 27 44 
			 North Yorkshire 39 37 22 30 
			 Northamptonshire 14 8 23 38 
			 Northumbria 85 28 78 100 
			 Nottinghamshire 34 16 43 71 
			 South Wales 43 76 92 69 
			 South Yorkshire 33 30 61 99 
			 Staffordshire 47 9 54 56 
			 Suffolk 22 14 40 50 
			 Surrey 24 18 56 74 
			 Sussex 42 16 143 134 
			 Thames Valley 55 20 94 165 
			 Warwickshire 10 15 21 31 
			 West Mercia 39 28 54 68 
			 West Midlands 96 29 228 252 
			 West Yorkshire 57 44 136 161 
			 Wiltshire 11 5 65 46

Domestic Violence

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by police authority, the number of reported incidents of domestic violence for each of the last three years for which figures are available.

John Denham: Details of the numbers of domestic violence incidents recorded by police forces, obtained from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Annual Statistical Return, are given in the table. The definition of domestic violence incidents used for the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 figures is as follows:
	Any violence between current or former partners in an intimate relationship, wherever and whenever the violence occurs. The violence may include physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse.
	The figures for 1998–99 used the following definition:
	Any form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship. In most cases, the relationship will be between partners, married, cohabiting or otherwise; or ex-partners.
	The figures for 1998–99 are therefore not directly comparable with those for 1999–2000 and 2000–01.
	
		Domestic violence incidents
		
			   Financial years  
			 Forces 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 4,791 9,973 9,210 
			 Bedfordshire 4,923 5,474 5,616 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,113 2,558 2,959 
			 Cheshire 9,503 7,271 7,393 
			 City of London 83 n/a 22 
			 Cleveland 4,818 3,980 4,540 
			 Cumbria 3,268 3,140 3,294 
			 Derbyshire 12,585 9,872 n/a 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3,453 3,611 2,957 
			 Dorset 2,116 2,306 2,361 
			 Durham 1,930 4,679 5,446 
			 Dyfed-Powys 2,106 2,184 1,670 
			 Essex 10,850 10,841 9,936 
			 Gloucestershire 1,421 6,248 6,061 
			 Greater Manchester 56,203 46,330 51,448 
			 Gwent 4,250 4,603 3,150 
			 Hampshire 3,128 3,856 10,513 
			 Hertfordshire 6,363 6,373 6,228 
			 Humberside 1,148 7,787 6,356 
			 Kent 9,605 8,997 8,926 
			 Lancashire 6,778 8,560 17,392 
			 Leicestershire 7,246 5,631 3,320 
			 Lincolnshire 1,519 738 278 
			 Merseyside 20,612 19,801 16,663 
			 Metropolitan police 41,531 77,099 91,154 
			 Norfolk 4,973 5,567 5,811 
			 Northamptonshire 2,620 4,422 2,843 
			 Northumbria 14,442 10,336 11,898 
			 North Wales 4,305 2,763 3,436 
			 North Yorkshire 4,024 5,327 3,554 
			 Nottinghamshire 3,803 3,799 4,054 
			 South Wales 7,252 7,609 7,507 
			 South Yorkshire 12,209 2,177 n/a 
			 Staffordshire n/a 9,482 10,868 
			 Suffolk 1,962 495 2,307 
			 Surrey 1,653 3,234 5,026 
			 Sussex 8,174 9,300 10,083 
			 Thames Valley 10,885 10,221 5,887 
			 Warwickshire 2,500 2,687 3,360 
			 West Mercia n/a 1,866 6,383 
			 West Midlands 20,362 25,225 31,328 
			 West Yorkshire 23,658 26,271 18,604 
			 Wiltshire 7,563 5,977 5,485 
			  
			 England and Wales 351,728 398,670 415,327 
		
	
	n/a = not available

Alcohol (Young People)

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he had with the police prior to the amendment of the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 to the effect that only alcohol in unsealed containers may now be seized; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 2 November 2001
	Section 29 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 amends section 1 of the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 and increases the power of police in respect of under-age drinkers because it now allows them to confiscate alcohol, and alcohol containers which have been opened, from under-age drinkers in public places.
	The 1997 Act was deliberately amended by the 2001 Act to ensure consistency between new police powers to confiscate alcohol (but not sealed alcohol containers) from any person in a public place designated for the purpose by the relevant local authority, and the measures contained within the 1997 Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act.
	Prior to the Act discussions on the provisions were held with representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers and individual forces who had included confiscation powers within the model byelaw on banning drinking in public places.

Cemeteries

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is with regard to the provision of new cemeteries.

Beverley Hughes: Burial facilities are currently provided by local organisations, including burial authorities, religious bodies and private companies, in response to local demand. Whether these arrangements need to be reinforced is a matter we intend to consider over the next year. As a first step, we propose shortly to seek information on existing burial space availability.

Illegal Drugs

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the relationship between the street price and purity of (a) cocaine and (b) heroin in the last 10 years.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 22 October 2001
	Information on mean purity of seizures is available from April 1997 to March 2001 and this together with average street prices over the same period is set out in the table.
	
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Heroin purity (percentage) 35.3 38.2 43.6 49.7 
			 Price per gram (£)(10) 74 74 65 70 
			 Cocaine purity (percentage) 52.3 55.9 60.2 53.5 
			 Price per gram (£)(10) 71 77 75 65 
		
	
	(10) in December

Police Numbers (Essex)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) actual and (b) funded police officers there are in the county of Essex for the latest available date; and what were the same figures on 1 May 1997.

John Denham: holding answer 26 October 2001
	The information for funded officers and the most recent strength data has been provided by the chief constable of Essex. The 1997 strength figures relate to 31 March 1997 as the Home Office collects police strength data in March and September for each year. The information is in the table.
	
		Essex police
		
			  31 March 1997 1 October 2001 
		
		
			 Funded police officers 2,944 3,031 
			 Actual police strength 2,961 2,974 
			 Funded civilian support staff 1,425 1,747 
			 Actual civilian staff strength 1,199 1,586 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are full-time equivalents
	2. The funded posts reflect budget provision by the police authority

Fraud (Police Staff Levels)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed (a) in each police fraud squad, including the City of London police fraud squad, and (b) in the economic and financial crime section of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, in each year since 1996.

John Denham: (a) This information is not kept centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, for the last two years Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has collected data from all forces in England and Wales according to a range of 62 staff functions, one of which is fraud. The staff function for fraud is defined as
	"staff who predominately investigate fraud cases (not including staff who are predominately employed in asset confiscation duties)" and
	"staff who are predominately employed to support the investigation of fraud cases (not including staff who are predominately employed to support asset confiscation duties)". The data are as follows:
	
		
			   1999–2000  2000–01  
			 Force Police officer  Civilian staff Police officer Civilian staff 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 17 1 15 2 
			 Bedfordshire 8 1 13 3 
			 Cambridgeshire 7 0 6 0 
			 Cheshire 16 0 15 3 
			 City of London 74 12 70 11 
			 Cleveland 10 0 10 0 
			 Cumbria 4 0 4 0 
			 Derbyshire 10 1 12 1 
			 Devon and Cornwall 10 0 18 5 
			 Dorset 13 1 14 2 
			 Durham 5 0 4 0 
			 Dyfed-Powys 7 0 5 1 
			 Essex 0 0 0 0 
			 Gloucester 8 1 8 1 
			 Greater Manchester 36 0 35 0 
			 Gwent 5 0 5 0 
			 Hampshire 11 3 12 3 
			 Hertfordshire 10 0 11 0 
			 Humberside 9 1 10 1 
			 Kent 14 4 13 11 
			 Lancashire 0 0 0 0 
			 Leicester 0 0 7 0 
			 Lincolnshire 7 0 7 0 
			 Merseyside 0 4 0 4 
			 Metropolitan police 118 0 68 2 
			 Norfolk 7 0 7 0 
			 North Wales 9 0 0 0 
			 North Yorkshire 6 0 6 0 
			 Northamptonshire 8 2 8 4 
			 Northumbria 14 0 0 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 11 1 17 1 
			 South Wales 15 2 3 0 
			 South Yorkshire 21 2 20 5 
			 Staffordshire 10 2 10 2 
			 Suffolk 6 0 8 2 
			 Surrey 12 0 17 3 
			 Sussex 2 1 0 2 
			 Thames Valley 15 4 15 5 
			 Warwickshire 1 0 6 1 
			 West Mercia 7 0 5 0 
			 West Midlands 28 12 29 9 
			 West Yorkshire 42 0 43 0 
			 Wiltshire 3 0 4 0 
			  
			 England and Wales 616 55 560 84 
		
	
	(b) The number of staff employed in the National Criminal Intelligence Service as at 1 April each year was:
	
		
			 Year Number 
		
		
			 1996 17 
			 1997 16 
			 1998 21 
			 1999 24 
			 2000 24 
			 2001 54 
		
	
	Since April 2001, eight more staff have been recruited by the Economic Crime Unit and a further 18 people are currently being recruited. By the end of the financial year there will be 80 staff in the unit.

Police Numbers (Sussex)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have left Sussex constabulary since March 2000 through (a) retirement, (b) early retirement, (c) injury and (d) other employment.

John Denham: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The information requested has been provided by the acting chief constable of Sussex police and is set out in the table.
	
		Officers leaving Sussex police between March 2000 and September 2001
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Retirement 142 
			 Early (medical) retirement 35 
			 Resignation 73 
			 Transfer to new force 54 
			 Other reasons(11) 11 
			  
			 Total 315 
		
	
	(11) Includes officers retiring while on sick leave, for disciplinary reasons, or leaving to return to their original force.

Police Numbers (Sussex)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new police officers have been taken on in each division of the Sussex constabulary since March 2000 under crime fighting fund funding.

John Denham: holding answer 29 October 2001
	The number of crime fighting fund (CFF) funded recruits taken on by a force is calculated as a proportion of total recruitment. Sussex police recruited 47 officers funded by the CFF in 2000–01. Based on forecasts of recruitment for 2001–02 provided by the force, a further 26 Sussex recruits appointed between April and September 2001 will be funded by the CFF.
	The distribution of CFF recruits within a police force area is a matter for the chief constable of that force. I am informed by the force that Sussex do not identify particular officers as CFF recruits but that the number per division is calculated using an allocation formula based on budgetary provision. For 2000–01 Sussex's CFF officers were distributed as follows:
	
		
			  Number of officers 
		
		
			 Brighton 8 
			 East Downs 7 
			 Forest 6 
			 Highdown 6 
			 Hove and Shoreham 4 
			 Senlac 6 
			 Weald 5 
			 Western 5 
			  
			 Total 47 
		
	
	The force has not yet calculated the distribution of 2001–02 CFF recruits between divisions.

Religious Hatred

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with (a) the Law Society, (b) the Bar Council, (c) the Justices' Clerks, (d) the District Judges (magistrates courts), (e) the lay magistracy and (f) the Crown court judges in relation to the proposed law on religious incitement; and if he will place a summary of their responses in the Library.

John Denham: holding answer 9 November 2001
	Because of the need to place an emergency anti-terrorism Bill before Parliament urgently, it has not been possible to undertake a formal consultation exercise.

Public-private Partnerships

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the projects in his Department which have been considered as potential public-private partnerships since 1997 which have not been undertaken because the public sector comparator had a lower net present value than the public private partnership proposed; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: From the best information available, there are no instances in this Department where a potential public-private partnership has not gone ahead due to the public sector comparator having a lower net present value than the public-private partnership proposed.
	I would also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to this question.

Communications Data

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make data retention compulsory for internet and communications service providers.

John Denham: I intend to work with service providers on a voluntary code on retention of communications data as part of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Bill. This is an important element of our drive against terrorism and crime. I propose that compulsory powers should be held in reserve and subject to further consideration by Parliament.

Anti-terrorist Legislation

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with internet and communications service providers about new anti-terrorist legislation.

David Blunkett: Officials met representatives of service providers on 24 October to discuss provisions on communications data retention contained in the Anti- Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill. The meeting was a useful opportunity for Government at an early stage of the process to hear the views of industry representatives. The industry has of course been in dialogue with the Department of Trade and Industry over the last two months and we have reflected the representations made. As I said on 15 October in my statement to the House, we are very grateful to the providers. The Government look forward to continuing co-operation with industry on this important issue and to developing a code of practice with industry to implement the provisions of the Bill.

Afghanistan

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with his European counterparts about dealing with European nationals apprehended in Afghanistan taking arms against British military personnel.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 5 November 2001
	None at present.

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods.

Beverley Hughes: The Home Department's policy on the procurement of goods and services is based on value for money principles, which include quality, fitness for purpose and delivery against price. Unless there are reasons to the contrary, all goods and services are acquired by competition. We fully support ethical trading in mainstream business and fair trade products will be purchased where they meet the stated criteria.

Departmental Publications

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on information literature, advertising and campaign material in the financial years (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99, (e) 1999–2000 and (f) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: Expenditure on information literature advertising and campaign material in the years specified is as follows.
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 (a) 1995–96 10,869 
			 (b) 1996–97 8,328 
			 (c) 1997–98 3,372 
			 (d) 1998–99 4,194 
			 (e) 1999–2000 10,080 
			 (f) 2000–01 35,637 
		
	
	Expenditure figures for years 1997–98 and 1998–99 cover the production of information literature, advertising and campaign material in the following subject areas; absent voting/electoral voting, accelerated promotion scheme for graduates (APSG) police, special constables recruitment and fire safety. No significant marketing campaigns were run in these financial years.
	Expenditure in the years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 however, covers campaigns in the following areas: police recruitment, vehicle crime reduction, fire safety, rolling/ electoral registration and postal voting, passports advice and the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998.
	In 2000–01 the main areas of expenditure were:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 Rolling registration and postal voting 7 
			 Fire safety 5 
			 Police recruitment 7.5 
			 Crime (including vehicle crime reduction) 10

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Rural Payments Agency

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the abolition of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce and the progress towards agency status of the Rural Payments Agency; and if she will publish its framework document, corporate plan and business plan.

Elliot Morley: The Rural Payments Agency was launched as an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 16 october 2001. It received accreditation as an EU paying agency on the same date. The chief executive is Mr. Johnston McNeill.
	Since that date and until 15 November, when the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce (Abolition) Regulations 2001 came into force, the agency has been operating as a joint enterprise between the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce and the Department under a single management structure headed by the chief executive.
	The House has already been informed of the agency's performance targets on 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1247W. I am arranging for copies of the framework document, the corporate plan and the business plan for 2001–02 to be placed in the Library of the House.

Illegal Food Imports

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to reduce the number of bodies involved in controlling illegal imports of food.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 November 2001
	There are a number of bodies with an interest in the control of food imports. We are co-ordinating action to identify practical ways to simplify the situation.

Scrapie

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on how the Government will test for scrapie-causing agents in apparently scrapie-resistant sheep.

Elliot Morley: Next year we will be testing a sample of sheep brains for signs of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) including scrapie. At present the number of sheep to be tested is 23,000 but this may increase. The relevant European Union legislation requires that, if a test performed under that legislation gives a positive result for the presence of TSEs, the sample material must be genotyped. This will reveal any case where the sheep had a scrapie-resistant genotype.
	We are also carrying out experiments to see if sheep that are fully resistant to scrapie can be infected with BSE. Over five years the sheep will be culled so that, using a range of available tests, their tissues can be examined for signs of infectivity. Results so far have been very encouraging, as infectivity has not been detected.

Animal Health Bill

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the level of consultation on the Animal Health Bill before its publication.

Elliot Morley: We have had to draw up this legislation swiftly to prepare for any emergency and there has not been time to consult in the way that we normally would. However, over the coming weeks and months, while the Bill is before Parliament we will consult widely on key provisions and their practical implementation.
	With specific regard to the provisions on scrapie and TSEs, we signalled the possibility of introducing a compulsory programme of genotyping and breeding restrictions for TSE-susceptible sheep when we launched a public consultation exercise on the proposed national scrapie plan in July 2000. We are currently consulting stakeholders about the detailed arrangements including the timing of the introduction of a compulsory scheme.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers.

Elliot Morley: According to our records, for the period 15 October and 5 November this Department received 254 named day parliamentary written questions, 79 per cent. of which received holding answers.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to her Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer (a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued.

Elliot Morley: The proportion of named day parliamentary written questions that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November, and have subsequently received a substantive answer is in the table:
	
		
			 Parliamentary days Number Percentage 
		
		
			 (a) Within three 40 20 
			 (b) Within seven 62 31 
			 (c) Within 10 19 9.5 
			 (d) Within 15 19 9.5 
			 (e) Over 15 61 30

Mink Farms

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many mink farms were inspected during the slaughter period in November and December 2000; and what were the methods of slaughter observed.

Elliot Morley: Our records show that three mink farms were inspected during November and December 2000. However, slaughter was only observed at two of these farms. Exposure to carbon monoxide was observed on one farm, and exposure to carbon dioxide was observed at the other.

Agricultural Policy

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her priorities are for the reform of UK agricultural policy.

Elliot Morley: The Government want to see a sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food sector which contributes to a thriving and sustainable rural economy and advances environmental, economic, health and animal welfare goals. The independent Policy Commission on the future of farming and food, announced on 9 August, has been established to advise us on how to achieve these objectives.
	One key policy objective is to secure further positive change to the common agricultural policy, framing much of our domestic agriculture policy. In particular, we want to see market price support and production controls phased out, with transitional support payments to help farmers to adjust. This should be complemented by a shift towards the "second pillar" of the CAP, expanding the resources available for targeted support for rural development and agri-environment schemes.

Vets (Domestic Pets)

Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what information she has collated on (a) how many vets in each of the last five years have been struck off or disqualified and (b) how many were struck off or disqualified for mistreating domestic pets;
	(2)  what information she has collated on (a) how many complaints have been made about vets in each of the last five years and (b) how many of those complaints were about the mistreating of domestic pets.

Elliot Morley: This Department does not collate figures regarding this matter, as responsibility for these matters rests with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. However, figures furnished to this Department by the college indicate that during the last five years a total of four vets have been struck off. Of these one was struck off for the mistreatment of pet animals.
	During the same period, a total of three vets have been disqualified for periods ranging from one to three months.
	
		
			  Disqualified Struck off 
		
		
			 1997 0 2 
			 1998 0 0 
			 1999 0 0 
			 2000 1 2 
			 2001 2 0

Over-30-months Scheme

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions she has had with the European Commission on the continuation of the OTMS scheme;
	(2)  what time limit has been set for the continuation of the over-30-months cattle scheme.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 November 2001
	It is the Government's intention to review the over-30-month scheme (OTMS) in light of any changes to the over-30- month rule. The rule will be reviewed by the Foods Standard Agency when a sufficient sample of cattle has been tested for BSE and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) is expected to reconsider existing guidance in the new year. Changes to the scheme would need to be agreed with the European Commission and other member states if amendments to Commission Regulation (EC) No. 716/96, under which the scheme operates, are required.

Over-30-months Scheme

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered under the Over 30 Months Cattle Scheme in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 16 November 2001
	The total numbers of cattle slaughtered under the scheme for the years in question are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Total scheme throughput 
		
		
			 1997 847,409 
			 1998 895,278 
			 1999 970,125 
			 2000 972,751 
			 2001(12) 459,606 
		
	
	(12) To 31 October 2001

Over-30-months Scheme

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of the over-30-months cattle scheme in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 November 2001
	The total cost of the over-30-months cattle scheme for the years in question are detailed in the table. The second column shows the total amount of compensation paid to producers. The third column shows the total cost of the scheme including compensation payments.
	
		£ million 
		
			  Year  Total compensation paid to producers Total cost of the scheme including compensation 
		
		
			 1997–98 288 432 
			 1998–99 264 380 
			 1999–2000 265 394 
			 2000–2001 240 358 
			 2001–2002(13) 44 81 
		
	
	(13) To 30 September 2001

Border Inspection Posts

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the establishment of border inspection posts in the United Kingdom by the European Commission Food and Veterinary Office.

Elliot Morley: Community law requires that all products of animal origin from third countries enter through, and are subject to checks at, a border inspection post (BIP).
	Before a BIP can operate it has to be approved by officials of the European Commission Food and Veterinary Office (FVO). FVO veterinary experts will inspect the facility to ensure that the layout, structure and procedures comply with Community requirements.
	Once approval has been given this must be ratified at the Standing Veterinary Committee who will adopt a decision amending the list of approved BIPs.

Common EU Fisheries Licence

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress made towards a common EU fisheries licence, with respect to communitarisation of national fleets.

Elliot Morley: There has been no movement in this direction. The belief that this is a likely development is based on a misreading of the Swedish Accession Treaty and has no basis in fact.

Fisheries (Derogation)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the state of negotiations to extend the derogation on six and 12 mile limits.

Elliot Morley: A decision on the six and 12 mile limits will be taken as part of the CFP review in 2002. Discussions in the Council of Ministers have revealed a very strong consensus among member states in favour of renewing the limits; the Commission is also known to support them. For my part, I shall be making every effort to get the limits made permanent.

Fishing Controls

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1936/2001, laying down control measures applicable to fishing for certain stocks of highly migratory fish, on (a) her Department's activities and (b) Dependent and Associated Territories, with special reference to (i) the Falklands and (ii) Gibraltar.

Elliot Morley: No assessment has been made of the effect of Council Regulation (EC) No.1939/12001 laying down control measures applicable to fishing for certain stocks of highly migratory fish in any fisheries.

Live Export Refunds

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her policy regarding live export refunds for cattle; and if it is her policy to support their suspension as concerns the European Communities budget.

Elliot Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Rendel) on 12 November 2001, Official Report, columns 597–98W.

Foot and Mouth

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in what percentage of cases livestock owners who resisted an animal culling order were subsequently informed that their animals were infected with foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The London headquarters of the Department was involved in or made aware of a total of 127 cases where livestock owners appealed against a cull. At the time of appeal, 104 were contiguous premises, 17 were dangerous contacts, three were 3km cull cases, two were slaughters on suspicion and one was an infected premises. In 15 per cent. of this total number, the owners were subsequently informed that their animals were infected with foot and mouth disease and the status of their premises was amended accordingly.

Foot and Mouth

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations govern (a) the export of game, and (b) compensation for game exporters whose business was affected by foot and mouth.

Elliot Morley: The Import and Export Restrictions (foot and mouth disease) Regulations regulate the export of fresh meat and animal products from animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease (FMD); there is no statutory provision for payment of compensation to farming or other businesses for consequential losses caused by the outbreaks of FMD, and there are no plans to introduce such payments.

Foot and Mouth

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the protocols and guidance for the removal of ash from a foot and mouth disease burn site.

Elliot Morley: The protocols and guidance for the removal of ash from foot and mouth disease burn sites have been placed in the Library of the House.

Foot and Mouth

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what powers the foot and mouth contiguous cull was carried out.

Elliot Morley: The contiguous cull was carried out using powers contained in schedule 3, paragraph 3 of the Animal Health Act 1981.

Laptop Computers

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many laptop computers held by her Department have been (a) stolen and (b) lost; how many have been recovered; and what is the total cost of replacements since June 2001.

Elliot Morley: Since June 2001, the Department has had four laptops stolen, and has lost none. None of the stolen laptops has been recovered and none has been replaced to date.

Departmental Plan

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish her departmental plan.

Elliot Morley: I intend to publish the DEFRA Departmental Report in April 2002 in common with other Government Departments. The report will contain information on progress against the Department's objectives and the challenges ahead for the forthcoming financial year. It will also contain summary expenditure plans for the Department.

IT

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what problems have been identified in the (a) installation and (b) management of her Department's IT programmes.

Elliot Morley: IT programmes in DEFRA are managed using the Government's methodology for project management known as "Prince 2", and have a single individual with overall responsibility for their delivery. In addition, the Department submits IT programmes to independent review under procedures introduced by the Office of Government Commerce earlier this year. The Department's experience is that these approaches are powerful tools for ensuring that problems in individual programmes are addressed at an early stage and successfully.

IT

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of her Department's budget is for IT.

Elliot Morley: Around 2 per cent. of the 2001–02 resource budget (ie expenditure covered by the Departmental Expenditure Limit and Annually Managed Expenditure) is planned to be spent on IT.

Civil Servants

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants there are in each division of her Department.

Elliot Morley: The number of civil servants employed by DEFRA as at 1 October 2001 is given in the table. The figures relate to people in post; they include staff employed to deal with foot and mouth disease and those who were in the process of transferring to the Rural Payments Agency. All other executive agencies are excluded.
	
		
			 Division of DEFRA Number of employees 
		
		
			 Agriculture and Food 577 
			 Fisheries 217 
			 Environment, rural and regional services 4,075 
			 Animal health (including state veterinary services) 2,914 
			 Science directorate 101 
			 European Union and international policy 57 
			 Economics and statistics 175 
			 Central services 1,133 
			 E-business directorate 360 
			 Communications directorate 106 
			  
			 Total 9,715

Civil Servants

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants (a) are employed in her Department and (b) were employed by its predecessor department at the latest date for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: As at 1 October 2001, 9,715 civil servants were employed by DEFRA.
	As at 1 June 2001, 8,735 civil servants were employed by the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
	The figures given include staff employed to deal with foot and mouth disease and those who were in the process of transferring to the Rural Payments Agency, but exclude all other executive agencies of the Department.

PFI Contracts

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the PFI contracts which (a) have been agreed and (b) are under consideration.

Elliot Morley: There are four existing PFI contracts: the Countryside Agency's SPIRIT contract for IT services, Pevensey Bay Sea Defences, Broadlands Flood Alleviation Scheme, and the Broadlands Avenue Office Development (Cambridge). The British Waterways Board have two PPP projects under consideration: a property project known as P4, and the Water Grid scheme.

Vets

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many vets were employed by (a) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in May 1997 and (b) her Department in October 2001.

Elliot Morley: The number of veterinary surgeons (full-time equivalents) employed by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) for 1997 and 2001 are shown in the table. Of the 286 full-time equivalent veterinarians employed by the State Veterinary Service in 2001 as a whole, 220 veterinarians are employed as field veterinary officers. The work of these officers is supplemented by about 100 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) from the private sector in normal times.
	
		
			 Year as at 1 January Number 
		
		
			 1997 289.5 
			 2001 286.0 
			 2001(14) 316.0 
		
	
	(14) As at October

Flood Defence

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what communications have been received from local authorities in respect of the availability of resources to implement flood defence plans.

Elliot Morley: This Department provides funding to local authorities in England for flood and coastal defence capital works. Other central Government funding for flood and coastal defence is provided through revenue support grant. Local authorities submit forecasts of their plans for capital works on a regular basis and the local government association has provided high level justification of their flood defence spending in future years as part of the Spending Review 2002 process.

Managed Retreat Schemes

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for managed retreat schemes in Essex; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Operational management of flood and coastal erosion risk in England is a matter for local operating authorities—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and internal drainage boards. The Government require them to consider a range of options when considering their response to the risk, including managed realignment where appropriate (sometimes called managed retreat). I understand the EA is actively progressing two schemes involving realignment in Essex at present, namely Abbot's Hall in the Blackwater estuary and Brandy Hole on the river Crouch.
	I also understand the EA is currently undertaking strategy studies of the Essex Estuaries which will involve consideration of managed realignment as an option for other sites in the future.

Movement of Livestock Scheme

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at what dates and times the autumn movement of livestock scheme helpline has been unavailable; and if she will make a statement on the impact on applicants of the unavailability of that helpline.

Elliot Morley: The Movement Licence Helpline (01392 314941) is open 08.30 to 17.30 Monday to Friday and 09.00 to 13.00 on Saturday. The helpline has never been unavailable. Some calls may be answered by an automatic message, when all the lines are busy, but the number of unanswered calls has not exceeded 5 per cent. of calls made to the helpline.
	The Department also provides a helpline for the use of local authorities and local veterinary inspectors. This helpline is not intended to be used by farmers. However, some farmers have obtained the number and will have been asked to call the Movement Licence Helpline.

Movement of Livestock Scheme

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the autumn movement of livestock scheme applies to movements between different parcels of land held by the same person.

Elliot Morley: Since 8 October, sole occupancy licences have been available to permit the movement of foot and mouth disease susceptible stock between premises which are in the same control, management and occupation in respect of FMD susceptible animals. All premises listed on the licence must be within a circle of a maximum diameter of 20.0 kms (12.4 miles). Movement of stock between premises covered by the same sole occupancy licence may take place without prior veterinary inspection and without triggering a 21 day standstill of destination. Full details are available from local offices of the DEFRA website.

Movement of Livestock Scheme

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the help available from her Department to local authorities to deal with the backlog of applications in respect of the autumn movement of livestock scheme.

Elliot Morley: The Department is working extremely closely with the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards (LACOTS) on the administration of the livestock movement scheme. The initial backlog of applications which built up after the introduction of the livestock movement scheme has been cleared.

Potato Industry

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the annual output of the UK potato industry in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and what percentage of the land in England under cultivation is used for the production of potatoes.

Elliot Morley: The volume and value of UK potato production and the percentage of crop area in England used for potato production are given in the table.
	
		
			 Year 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 (15)2000 
		
		
			  Potatoes in the United Kingdom:  
			 Volume of harvested production(16) 6,393 7,841 7,097 6,568 6,435 7,251 7,153 6,439 7,156 6,611 
			 Value of production(17) 527 533 390 710 1,095 636 390 630 750 501 
			 Area(18) 178 182 172 165 173 178 167 165 178 165 
			 Percentage of UK total crop area 3.6 3.6 3.8 3.7 3.8 3.8 3.3 3.3 3.8 3.5 
			
			  Potatoes in England:
			 Area used for potato production(18) 135 137 131 125 130 135 127 124 137 127 
			 England total crop area(18) 4,222 4,244 3,839 3,804 3,865 4,016 4,244 4,229 4,005 3,982 
			 Percentage of England total crop area 3.2 3.2 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.0 2.9 3.4 3.2 
		
	
	(15) Provisional
	(16) Thousand tonnes
	(17) £ million
	(18) Thousand hectares
	Source:
	Agriculture in the UK

Land Use

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of land in England was (a) under cultivation for crops and (b) used for animal rearing in (i) 1975, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1995 and (iv) the most recent year for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: The information is given in the table.
	
		
			  Thousand hectares 1975 1985 1995 2001 
		
		
			 Total area of England(19) 13,042 — — — — 
			 of which:  
			 Percentage total crops — 30.1 33.7 29.6 29.0 
			 Percentage animal rearing — 40.2 36.4 34.3 33.1 
		
	
	(19) Including inland waterways
	Notes:
	1. Crops including all arable crops, some of which are grown for stockfeeding.
	2. Animal rearing is all grassland and rough grazing.
	3. Common land has not been included in the figures for animal rearing. There are 427,889 hectares of common land in England.
	Sources:
	1. Crops and Animal Rearing—June Agricultural Census 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2001 (main and minor holdings).
	2. Total Area of England—Office for National Statistics (2001 data).

Common Agricultural Policy

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the principal changes her Department is seeking on reform of the common agricultural policy.

Elliot Morley: The CAP needs further reform to deliver better outputs for our farmers, consumers and taxpayers. The Government are committed to striving to secure a more economically rational CAP, and one which is sustainable in relation to the countryside environment and rural economy. In particular, the Government want to see market price support and production controls phased out, with transitional support payments to help farmers to adjust. This should be complemented by a shift towards the "second pillar" of the CAP, expanding the resources available for targeted support for rural development and agri-environment schemes.

Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of 29 May on behalf of his constituent Mr. J. Matchett of Langton Ave., Chelmsford; and if she will make a statement about the reason for the delay in replying.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 22 October 2001
	I apologise to the hon. Gentleman for the delay in providing a reply to his letter. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs replied to his letter yesterday. We have recently identified a real problem with the correspondence system which has led to a backlog of correspondence which Ministers and officials are working hard to clear. I am sorry the hon. Gentleman's letter was caught in that backlog.

Farming Assistance (Exmoor)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to speed up the process of the collection of cattle and assist farmers with welfare problems in Exmoor.

Elliot Morley: Under the animal movement restrictions which apply to control the spread of foot and mouth disease, collection for movement is permitted to only a single destination on any one day at present.
	Following representations from Exmoor farmers, veterinary advice is that provided there is proper cleansing and disinfection between batches, it will be possible to allow more than one operation per day of gathering for movement to a single destination, without an undue increase in disease risk. Officials are therefore finalising changes to the collecting centre procedures to allow more than one batch per day subject to cleansing and disinfection between each batch and these should be implemented shortly.